Lesotho Mounted Police Service
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The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) is the national police force of the
Southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost region of Africa. No definition is agreed upon, but some groupings include the United Nations geoscheme for Africa, United Nations geoscheme, the intergovernmental Southern African Development Community, and ...
n Kingdom of Lesotho. Advocate Borotho Matsoso is the current Commissioner of LMPS since 24 May 2024 after being sworn in by Prime Minister Sam Matekane.


History

The police service was established in 1872, with an initial strength of 110 men. It adopted military discipline and, from 1878,
military rank Military ranks is a system of hierarchy, hierarchical relationships within armed forces, police, Intelligence agency, intelligence agencies, paramilitary groups, and other institutions organized along military organisation , military lines, such ...
structure based on the
British army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...
. In the 1950s the force moved towards a civilian police operation, and in 1958 replaced its military rank structure with conventional civilian police ranks. 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


Commissioners

* C. H. Aprthorp (1947–1949) * L. W. Clarke (1949–1952) * F. J. Roach (1970–1972) * A. Namoli (1972–1973) * B. A. Ntoi (1973–1977) * R. S. Matela (1977–1986) * L. Dingizwayo (1986–1991) * T. T. Phinda (1991–1996) * V. B. Makoaba (1996–1998) * E. K. Petlane (1999–2000) * Jonas Malewa (2000–2005) * 'Malejaka Letooane (2005–2012) * Kizito Mhlakaza (2012–2014) * Khothatso Ts'ooana (2014–2015) * Molahlei Letsoepa (2015–2017) * Holomo Molibeli (2017–2024) * Dr. Mahlape Morai (February 2024–24 May 2024) * Adv. Borotho Matsoso (24 May 2024–present)


Deputy commissioners

* Mahlape Morai * Paseka Mokete * Moqhebi Likhama * Sera Cedric Makharilele * Beleme Lebajoa


Training

The national Police Training College (P.T.C) opened in 1946. All recruits are enrolled as
Cadet A cadet is a student or trainee within various organisations, primarily in military contexts where individuals undergo training to become commissioned officers. However, several civilian organisations, including civil aviation groups, maritime ...
s 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

*
Lesotho Defence Force The Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) is the military of the Southern African Lesotho, Kingdom of Lesotho, which consists of about 2,000 personnel and is tasked with maintaining internal security, territorial integrity, and defending the constitution o ...


References

Law enforcement in Lesotho Crime in Lesotho 1998 establishments in Lesotho {{Lesotho-stub