Lesotho Mounted Police Service

Last updated
Lesotho Mounted Police Service
Country Lesotho
Headquarters Maseru, Lesotho
MottoLepolesa Mothusi Motsoalle
Police A Helper A Friend
AbbreviationLMPS
Commanders
Current
commander
Holomo Molibeli(2014 - 29 February 2024) DCP Dr. Mahlape Morai (29 February 2024 - Present))interim
Website
lmps.org.ls

The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) is the national police force of the Southern African Kingdom of Lesotho. [1]

Contents

History

The police service was established in 1872, with an initial strength of 110 men. It adopted military discipline and, from 1878, military rank structure based on the British army. [2] [3] In the 1950s the force moved towards a civilian police operation, and in 1958 replaced its military rank structure with conventional civilian police ranks. [4] Originally known as the Basutoland Mounted Police, the force later changed its name to Lesotho Police, then Lesotho Mounted Police (1966), and Royal Lesotho Mounted Force (1986). Today, in common with many police forces, it has adopted the style "police service" in its current formal name of Lesotho Mounted Police Service.

Ranks

Rank and Insignia
Basutoland Mounted Police 1878-1958Rank Major General Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Warrant Officer Staff Sergeant Sergeant Lance Sergeant Private
Insignia Basutoland Mounted Police Captain.svg Basutoland Mounted Police Lieutenant.svg Basutoland Mounted Police Second Lieutenant.svg Basutoland Mounted Police Staff Sergeant.svg Basutoland Mounted Police Sergeant.svg Basutoland Mounted Police Lance Sergeant.svg
Basutoland Mounted Police 1958-1966Rank Commissioner Deputy Commissioner Assistant Commissioner Senior Superintendent Superintendent Senior Inspector Inspector Sergeant Constable
Insignia Basutoland Mounted Police Captain.svg Basutoland Mounted Police Lieutenant.svg Basutoland Mounted Police Sergeant.svg
Lesotho Mounted Police 1966-1986RankCommissionerDeputy CommissionerAssistant CommissionerSenior SuperintendentSuperintendentSenior InspectorInspectorSergeantConstable
Insignia Lesotho Mounted Police Senior Superintendent.svg Lesotho Mounted Police Superintendent.svg Basutoland Mounted Police Captain.svg Basutoland Mounted Police Lieutenant.svg Basutoland Mounted Police Sergeant.svg
Royal Lesotho Mounted Police 1986-1998RankCommissionerDeputy CommissionerAssistant CommissionerSenior SuperintendentSuperintendentSenior InspectorInspectorSergeantConstable
Insignia Royal Lesotho Mounted Police Senior Superintendent.svg Royal Lesotho Mounted Police Superintendent.svg Royal Lesotho Mounted Police Senior Inspector.svg Royal Lesotho Mounted Police Inspector.svg Basutoland Mounted Police Sergeant.svg Royal Lesotho Mounted Police Constable.svg
Lesotho Mounted Police Service 1998-PresentRankCommissionerDeputy CommissionerAssistant CommissionerSenior SuperintendentSuperintendentSenior InspectorInspectorSergeantConstable
Insignia Lesotho Mounted Police Service Commissioner.svg Lesotho Mounted Police Service Deputy commissioner.svg Lesotho Mounted Police Service Assistant commissioner.svg Lesotho Mounted Police Service Senior Superintendent.svg Lesotho Mounted Police Service Superintendent.svg Lesotho Mounted Police Service Senior Inspector.svg Lesotho Mounted Police Service Inspector.svg Lesotho Mounted Police Service Sergeant.svg Lesotho Mounted Police Service Constable.svg

Training

The national Police Training College (P.T.C) opened in 1946. All recruits are enrolled as Cadets and complete a thirteen-month training course. Recruits must be aged between 18 and 30, and pass an initial entrance examination. Recruits are accepted from all parts of Lesotho society, but must be registered as Lesotho citizens. Although police positions were originally restricted to men only, the force has admitted women officers since 1970.

See also

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References

  1. "Lesotho Mounted Police Service". dijcolorg.free.fr. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  2. Dissel, Amanda; Masuku, Themba; Tshelo, Marosa; Tait, Sean (2011). The Police as Friend and Helper to the People: Assessing the Lesotho Mounted Police Service performance in terms of the Southern African Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) Code of Conduct (PDF) (Report). African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  3. Tylden, G (December 1969). "Basutoland Roll of Honour 1851-1881". Military History Journal. The South African Military History Society. 1 (5). Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  4. "About Lesotho Mounted Police Service". www.lmps.org.ls. LMPS. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2021.