𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠

…𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒍 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉

By Sonam Choden

As Bhutan approaches 2026, a new vision of safety is unfolding- one that extends beyond traditional policing to encompass health, digital literacy, and community protection. The Ministry of Home Affairs, in its Action Taken Report on Crime Prevention and Reduction presented to the National Assembly, outlines initiatives across nine sectors designed to build a safer and more resilient society.

“Our goal is not only to reduce crime but to strengthen community trust in our institutions,” the Ministry stated in the report. “Safety today is more than policing. It is social, digital, and emotional security.”

The Royal Bhutan Police has spearheaded one of the country’s largest technology-driven safety programs. According to the report, a total of 896 CCTV cameras have been installed across Thimphu, Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Sarpang.
“A total of Nu. 91.76 million has been allocated by the Royal Bhutan Police in the current financial year 2025-2026 to implement various initiatives aimed at reducing crime in society,” the report stated. The Safe City Project in Thimphu, launched in 2012, continues to expand.

“Since July 2025, a total of 32 CCTV cameras have been installed under the Safe City Project, covering areas such as Kabesa, Taba, Pamtsho, Jungshina, and Changlimithang, in line with identified crime hotspots,” the report noted.
The Royal Bhutan Police has also strengthened drug detection efforts. Narcotic Drug Units have been established at Paro International Airport and Phuentsholing. “The drug scanning machines being costly, the RBP has prioritized strengthening drug detection efforts through the use of trained canines- currently numbering 40- particularly along the southern borders,” the report added, noting that ten more dogs will be deployed this year.

The Department of Law and Order has intensified campaigns against human trafficking, online gambling, and scams. “The Department has successfully clamped down on gambling activities like la-gaw la-gaw, tambola, dart games, lucky wheel, card games etc.,” the report stated.

Regarding online gambling, DLO officials said actions were taken against 800 organizers, and 17 repeated offenders have been referred to the Royal Bhutan Police for investigation. To address scamming and online fraud, the department issued a short video to create awareness of pyramid schemes, which was aired through BBS and social media platforms. On October 26, 2025, the DLO organized a TikTok Live session where about 1,300 people joined.

The Bhutan Information, Communication and Media Authority is working to regulate harmful online content and misinformation. The authority issued a public notification warning TikTok content creators and live streamers to immediately stop engaging in “extreme punishment shows.” It is also reviewing the Information, Communications and Media Act of Bhutan 2018 to address fake accounts and deepfakes.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment conducted inspections of thousands of business establishments to ensure compliance with the Trade and Industry Rules 2023, which regulate alcohol sales. ROICE Trongsa inspected 313 establishments, while inspections in Thimphu, Chhukha, Samtse, and other regions covered thousands more.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health is preparing the Multi-sectoral National Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (2025-2030), emphasizing alcohol regulation, drunk-driving control, and rehabilitation. “The Ministry of Health fully recognizes the urgent need for a dedicated National Alcohol Policy to address the growing burden of alcohol-related harm in Bhutan,” the report stated. Each year, more than 2,000 people across the country seek medical care for Alcohol Use Disorder at hospitals, with over 50 percent estimated to require residential rehabilitation.

Under the leadership of the National Commission for Women and Children and the PEMA Secretariat, the child protection system is expanding rapidly. The NCWC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, has established community-based child protection committees in 288 schools across three dzongkhags. “The initiative aims to enhance accountability and local capacity for safeguarding children,” the report explained.

The PEMA Secretariat has improved the national response system. “The child protection reporting system has been significantly enhanced and has successfully reduced the turnaround time for activating child protection services to five hours from 10-15 days,” it stated. The Secretariat has also launched a 24-hour national helpline (1098/1010), developed a National Mental Health Strategy, and operationalized The PEMA Home to provide emergency and interim protection for children in crisis. “Every child deserves protection and care without delay,” the Secretariat emphasized. “The system must move as fast as the threat.”

Mental health remains a central focus. The report shows that the PEMA Secretariat handled nearly 1,900 cases, 59 percent of which involved children. Thimphu recorded the highest number of cases, followed by Samtse, Sarpang, Paro, and Chhukha. To strengthen support systems, a 200-bed rehabilitation centre, The PEMA Rehab, has been operationalized, providing rehabilitation and skilling programs and working with Desuung to reintegrate individuals into society.

The Ministry of Health has expanded psychiatry and counselling services. “Four individuals are currently pursuing specialist training in psychiatry,” the report noted, “and 12 clinical counsellors have been deployed across 12 hospitals, enhancing access to psychosocial support.”

For Bhutan’s young population, RENEW and Nazhoen Lamtoen are offering support through youth centres and reintegration programs. Nazhoen Lamtoen reintegrated 79 children in conflict with the law, released from the Youth Development Rehabilitation Centre, back into mainstream society. RENEW reported that 13 Youth Centres nationwide recorded 38,898 youth visits in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, reflecting growing engagement and awareness.

The report reflects a national approach rooted in shared responsibility among ministries, civil society organizations, and citizens. From CCTV surveillance to canine patrols, from school counsellors to digital regulation, Bhutan’s efforts to ensure safety and wellbeing are increasingly comprehensive.