Maldives Unveils Ambitious Police Tech Overhaul – Drone as First Responder to Take Flight Next Year

Homeland Minister Ali Ihusaan has announced a sweeping initiative to modernise the force with cutting‑edge technology to be rolled out next year.

In a ceremony marking the 93rd Anniversary of the Maldives Police Service, the Minister revealed that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has initiated a landmark drive to equip the police with the latest tools aimed at boosting operational efficiency and elevating the quality of service to the public.

The centerpiece of the plan is the introduction of a “Drone as First Responder” service, slated to launch next year. The unmanned aerial vehicle will be deployed to incident scenes, transmitting real‑time video directly to the Police Command and Control Center. 

“Even when traffic on the roads or the time needed to cross the sea hampers conventional response, the drone will provide a more complete and timely service,” Minister Ihusaan explained, underscoring the device’s ability to bypass congestion and deliver immediate visual intelligence.

Complementing the drone initiative, three state‑of‑the‑art technology facilities will be rolled out in the same timeframe. The upgrades include equipping the 911 Emergency Response Center with next‑generation call‑handling equipment, enabling instantaneous detection of a caller’s location and live feeds from police cameras, establishment of a modern data centre to house the new policing technologies and further expand the analytical capabilities of the police force.

“Once these initiatives are completed, the service we deliver to the people will improve manyfold,” he said, highlighting the broader impact on public safety. 

The Minister anticipates that the combined upgrades will drastically reduce response times, enhance situational awareness, and ultimately strengthen the bond between the police and the communities they serve.