Myanmar Police Force
Encyclopedia
| Myanmar Police Force | |
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 |
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| Personnel | |
|---|---|
| 72,000 (including 4,500 Combat Police) | |
| Headquarters | |
| Yangon Yangon Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial... |
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| Director General | |
| Brigadier General Brigadier General Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000... Khin Yi |
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| Components | |
| State and Division Police Forces | |
| Special Departments | |
| Training Centres | |
| Reserved Units | |
| Combat Police Battalions | |
| Anti-narcotic Task Force | |
Myanmar Police Force, formally known as The People's Police Force , was established in 1964 as independent department under Ministry of Home Affairs. It was reorganised on 1 October 1995 and informally become part of Tatmadaw. Current Director General of Myanmar Police Force is Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
Khin Yi with its headquarters at Yangon
Yangon
Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial...
. Its command structure is based on established civil jurisdictions. Each of Myanmar's seven states and seven divisions has their own Police Forces with headquarters in the respective capital cities.
History
Police in Burma have a long history, and include the national policePolice
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
force of Burma, as well as smaller functions and jurisdictions.
British rule in Burma
The Indian Imperial Police was the primary law enforcement in Burma until 1937, when it was split from British India.In 1872 the third mayor of Mergui District, Sir Ashly Din (1870-1875) assigned the first police officer to be stationed at Maliwan, a village 24 miles north of current Victoria Point
Kawthaung
Kawthaung is in the southernmost part of Myanmar, located in Tanintharyi Region. During British rule in Burma between 1824 and 1948, it was known as Victoria Point.- History :...
.
Perhaps the most famous policeman in Burma from this period is the author George Orwell
George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair , better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English author and journalist...
, who in 1922 joined the Indian Imperial Police
Indian Police Service
The Indian Police Service , simply known as Indian Police or IPS, is one of the three All India Services of the Government of India...
in Burma.
Since independence
On March 16, 1988 following the killing of two students during the pro-democracy demonstrations8888 Uprising
The 8888 Nationwide Popular Pro-Democracy Protests was a series of marches, demonstrations, protests, and riots in the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma...
, student
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
s marching on Prome Road were confronted near Inya Lake
Inya Lake
Inya Lake is the largest lake in Yangon, Burma , a popular recreational area for Yangonites, and a famous location for romance in popular culture...
by the Lon Htein security force riot police and many beaten to death or drowned.
The national police are made up of several smaller entities, including
- Burma Railways Police
- intelligence division
State and Division Police Forces
There are 14 State and Divisional Police Forces and three additional State/Division Police Forces commanded by Police ColonelColonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
s.
Their jurisdictions are divided according to the Civil Administration. The States and Divisions, Additional States have the same status.
Each State and Divisional Police Force consist of four components.
- Office of the Commander of the State and Divisional Police Force
- Office of the Commander of the District Police Force
- Office of the Commander of the Township Police Force
- Police Stations
The District
District
Districts are a type of administrative division, in some countries managed by a local government. They vary greatly in size, spanning entire regions or counties, several municipalities, or subdivisions of municipalities.-Austria:...
Police Forces are classified into two classes depending on the area, population and development, namely A and B Class. Commanders of the A Class District Police Forces are Police Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
s and B Classes are Police Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
s. Commanders of Township Police Forces are Police Captains
Police captain
- France :France uses the rank of capitaine for management duties in both uniformed and plain-clothed policing. The rank comes senior to lieutenant and junior to commandant....
and Police Station Officers are Police Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
s.
State and Divisional Police Forces of Burma are as follow:
| State and Division | Headquarters |
|---|---|
| Karen State | Pa-An |
| Kachin State | Myitkyina |
| Chin State | Hakha |
| Mon State | Moulmein |
| Arakan State | Akyab |
| Shan State | Taunggyi |
| Yangon Division | Yangon |
| Sagaing Division | Sagaing |
| Mandalay Division | Mandalay |
| Magwe Division | Magwe |
| Pegu Division | Pegu |
| Tenasserim Division | Tavoy |
| Irrawaddy Division | Bassein |
There are also three additional State Police Forces, with their headquarters at Lashio (Shan State North), Kengtung (Shane State East) and Prome (Pegu West) in Pegu Division. Members of all these forces are assigned to positions at District and Police station level.
Special Departments
There are four Special Departments, in which the first two Departments are headed by the Police Brigadier GeneralBrigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
s and the rest two are by Police Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
s.
- Special Intelligence Department (Special Branch)
- Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
- Railways Police Department
- City Development Police Department
Training Centres
There are three main Training Centers, one Central Training Institute of Myanmar Police Force and two Police Training Depots. The State and Divisional Police Forces have their own training centers for refresher courses and Junior Leader (NCONon-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
) Courses.
Bachelor Degree holders from Distance Learning University were disqualified to sit SIP exam.Thus vast amount of bachelor holding other rank police personal upset for their future.
|-
| Deputy Superintendent Cadet Course
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| Sub-Inspector Cadet Course
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| Surveillance Officer Course
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| Investigation Officer Course
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| Police Station Officer Course
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| Staff Officer Course
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| Township Police Commander Course
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| District Police Commander Course
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No. 1 Police Training Depot
The No.1 Police Training Depot is commanded by a Police Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
and undertakes:
| Course Name | Duration |
|---|---|
| Basic Training Course for Police Sergeants | 9 months |
| Warrant Officer and Police Sergeants Course | 12 Weeks |
| Basic Training Course for Constables | 6 Months |
No. 2 Police Training Depot
The No.2 Police Training Depot is also cmmanded by a Police Lieutenant Colonel, and undertakes only Basic Training Course for Constables, which normally takes around 6 months to complete.Reserve Units
The following units were formed with personnel formerly in the People's Militia Units.- Highway PatrolHighway patrolA highway patrol is either a police unit created primarily for the purpose of overseeing and enforcing traffic safety compliance on roads and highways, or a detail within an existing local or regional police agency that is primarily concerned with such duties.Duties of highway patrols or traffic...
- Oil Field/Gas Pipeline Security guardSecurity guardA security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
s - Tourist Police
Combat Police Battalions (SWAT)
There are sixteen Police BattalionBattalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s to carry out general security duties under the command of Battalion Control Command. The Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
Commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
s are Police Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
s. As the populace of the cities including Yangon and Mandalay have been increased day after day, problems on social, economy and politics are risen up that could lead to emergence of civil unrest and sabotage. It is necessary to prevent from destruction and harassment, VIP and project factories and workshops, security of diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
s and their embassies. Seven of these Police Battalions are situated in the Yangon
Yangon
Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial...
Divisional areas and two in Mandalay and three in Arakan, one in Sagaing
Sagaing
Sagaing is the capital of Sagaing Region in Myanmar. Located on the Ayeyarwady River, 20 km to the southwest of Mandalay on the opposite bank of the river, Sagaing with numerous Buddhist monasteries is an important religious and monastic center. The pagodas and monasteries crowd the numerous...
, one in Mon State
Mon State
Mon State is an administrative division of Myanmar. It is sandwiched between Kayin State on the east, the Andaman Sea on the west, Bago Region on the north and Tanintharyi Region on the south, and has a short border with Thailand's Kanchanaburi Province at its south-eastern tip. The land area is...
, one in Pegu, one in Prome.
These specially-trained and combat capable battalions are formed with personnel from former Riot Security Police, better known as "Lon Htein" Units. Each battalion consists of 500+ personnel and these battalions are supported by two support battalions, which include signal and medical units. These battalions structure are similar to that of Army's Light Infantry
Light infantry
Traditionally light infantry were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. Light infantry was distinct from medium, heavy or line infantry. Heavy infantry were dedicated primarily to fighting in tight...
Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s and they are subordonate to their respective Regional Military Commands.
- 1st Combat Police Battalion (HQ at Hlawga)
- 2nd Combat Police Battalion (HQ at Maungtaw)
- 3rd Combat Police Battalion (HQ at Shwemyayar)
- 4th Combat Police Battalion (HQ at Patheingyi)
- 5th Combat Police Battalion (HQ at Hmawbi)
- 6th Combat Police Battalion (HQ at Shwepyitha)
- 7th Combat Police Battalion (HQ at Kyauktan)
- 8th Combat Police Battalion (HQ at Mingaladon)
- 9th Combat Police Battalion (HQ at Hlaingthaya)
- 10th Combat Police Battalion
- 11th Combat Police Battalion
- 12th Combat Police Battalion
- 14th Combat Police Battalion
- 15th Combat Police Battalion
- 16th Combat Police Battalion
Anti-Narcotic Task Forces
26 special anti-narcotic task forces have been established under the direction of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control.Weapons and equipment
Myanmar Police Force uses wide range of weapons and ammunitions, ranging from Second World War vintage to modern sophisticated weapons. Combat battalions are armed with relatively modern small arms such as M16M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
, AK-47
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
, Type 56
Type 56 Assault Rifle
The Type 56 assault rifle is a Chinese copy of the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle, which has been manufactured since 1956. It was produced by State Factory 66 from 1956-73, then by Norinco from 1973 onwards.-Service history:...
(seized from ethnic and narco-insugents) and Ka Pa Sa BA63
Heckler & Koch G3
The G3 is a 7.62mm battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME ....
assault rifle, which are being phased out from the Army in favour of 5.56mm MA series assault rifles. They have also been issued with 7.62mm Bren and BA-64 (Heavy Barrel version of G3
Heckler & Koch G3
The G3 is a 7.62mm battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME ....
with bipod) Light Machine Gun
Light machine gun
A light machine gun is a machine gun designed to be employed by an individual soldier, with or without an assistant, as an infantry support weapon. Light machine guns are often used as squad automatic weapons.-Characteristics:...
s for section support, BA-100 sniper rifles (locally manufactured version of G3A3ZF Sniper Rifle
Heckler & Koch G3
The G3 is a 7.62mm battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME ....
), night vision goggles and other counter terrorists and special forces equipment. Heavy Weapons companies of these battalions are equipped with 81 mm and 60 mm mortars.
Members of MPF who are stationed in local police stations within States and Divisional Police Forces and those providing general guards duties at various government establishments and public places such as airport, train and bus stations are issued with Second World War vintage weapons such as British .303 Enfield Rifles
Lee-Enfield
The Lee-Enfield bolt-action, magazine-fed, repeating rifle was the main firearm used by the military forces of the British Empire and Commonwealth during the first half of the 20th century...
, M1 Garand rifles, M1 Carbines
M1 Carbine
The M1 carbine is a lightweight, easy to use semi-automatic carbine that became a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and was produced in several variants. It was widely used by U.S...
, BA-52 submachine guns (locally manufactured Italian TZ-45 submachine gun) and Sten Gun
Sten
The STEN was a family of British 9 mm submachine guns used extensively by British and Commonwealth forces throughout World War II and the Korean War...
.
Officers and detectives have been issued with various side arms such as the Enfield revolver
Enfield revolver
Enfield Revolver is the name applied to two totally separate models of self-extracting British handgun designed and manufactured at the government-owned Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield; initially the .476 calibre Revolver Enfield Mk I/Mk II revolvers , and later the .38/200 calibre Enfield No...
, Smith & Wesson M&P
Smith & Wesson M&P
The Smith & Wesson Model 10, previously known as the Smith & Wesson Military & Police or the Smith & Wesson Victory Model, is a .38-caliber revolver developed from the Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1889. In production since 1899, it is a fixed-sight, six-shot handgun with a fluted...
, 0.38 Colt revolver
Colt Detective's Special
The Colt Detective Special is a carbon steel framed double-action short-barreled revolver, and is an example of a class of firearms known to gun enthusiasts as "snubnosed", "snubbies", or "belly guns". As the name "Detective Special" suggests, this model revolver was used as a concealed weapon by...
and Browning HP
Browning Hi-Power
The Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. It is based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale of Herstal, Belgium. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized...
.
Vehicles
- Mitsubishi Montero SUV(confiscated item)
- Land RoverLand RoverLand Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
Donated by Foreign Organizations for Drugs Enforcement. - Honda CBX750Honda CBX750The CBX750, or RC17 is a Honda motorcycle sold primarily in Europe, South Africa and Australia. Manufactured from 1984 to 1988, the CBX750 was developed from the CB750, in parallel with the VF750, a wholly new design...
motorcycle (For Pilot and Point) - Mercedes Benz C-class sedan (confiscated item)
- Toyota Dyna paddy wagon (Private Owned Vehicles called as volunteer)
- Toyota Tiger Double Cab,confiscated item (Used by escort team, patrol)
- MitsubishiMitsubishiThe Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
Double Cab,confiscated item (Used by Police Col Aung Naing, Yangon) - MitsubishiMitsubishiThe Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
Pickup confiscated item (Used by Township Police Station, Yangon) - MitsubishiMitsubishiThe Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
Pickup confiscated item (Used by Police Lt Col Aung Naing Thu, Yangon) - Toyota Pickup confiscated item (Used by Township Police Station, Yangon)
- HondaHondais a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
design Chinese motorcycle (confiscated item, these motorcycles were used by motor vehicles police, Township Police and their informer illegal and without registration number)
See also
- Tatmadaw
- Myanmar Army
- Myanmar Navy
- Myanmar Air Force
- Aung SanAung SanBogyoke Aung San ; 13 February 1915 – 19 July 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary, nationalist, and founder of the modern Burmese army, the Tatmadaw....
- Human rights in Burma
- Rangoon bombingRangoon bombingThe Rangoon bombing of October 9, 1983, was an assassination attempt against Chun Doo-hwan, the then-President of South Korea, allegedly orchestrated by North Korea. Two of the bombers were captured, one of whom confessed to being a North Korean military officer.-Bombing:On October 9, 1983,...