Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan has said that the introduction of democracy in the Maldives is the main reason for the tainted reputation of the police force.

Appearing on the Ahaa (Ask) forum on Monday night, Ihusaan said democracy has caused the loss of the reputation of government institutions.

"One of the costs of this big change in bringing democracy to our country is the value of institutions. The dignity of institutions is being taken away. Whichever group is in opposition, for political purposes, targets the police," Ihusaan said.

The minister said the critics do not see any problems with the police and do not see a need for reform when they come to power.

"By doing this continuously, two-thirds of the reputation of the police has declined. The other part is due to the fact that some of the services we should be providing professionally within the police department are not being provided that way," he added.

Ihusaan claimed that the number of untrained police officers has been reduced from 1000 to 300 after the current government assumed office.

He further said the government is working to expand the police service to all the islands and to improve the quality and expedite investigations.

"However, I just want to caution. Politicians should stop this fight against the police whenever they become the opposition," Ihusaan stated.

The police force has long faced criticism from political parties and the public. Many families had suffered police torture and injustice during the 30-year regime of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, which ended with the multi-party democracy in 2008.

Recently, police have been under fire over their response in connection with the fall of Hawwa Yumnu Rasheed, 21, from a building in Male' on April 18.

Following nightly youth protests and complaints from Yumnu's family, former Police Commissioner Ali Shujau resigned and the lead investigation officer Mohamed Samih was transferred to another department.

Before Yumnu's fall, residents of Noonu Holhudhoo island had been protesting since late last year over the police investigation into the suspicious death of a woman on the island.