Myanmar Police Force

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Myanmar Police Force

မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ ရဲတပ်ဖွဲ့
Emblem
Flag
Coat of arms
Agency overview
Formed	1964; 58 years ago (1964)
Superseding agency	Indian Imperial Police
Type	Law enforcement
Jurisdiction	Myanmar
Headquarters	Naypyidaw
Employees	93,000 (2012)[1]
Minister responsible	Soe Htut, Minister of Home Affairs
Agency executive	Than Hlaing, Chief of Police[2]
Parent agency	Ministry of Home Affairs
Child agencies	State and Division Police Special Forces Training Department Reserve Units Combat Police Battalions Anti-Narcotics Task Force
Website	Official website

The Myanmar Police Force (Burmese: မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ ရဲတပ်ဖွဲ့), officially the People's Police Force (ပြည်သူ့ရဲတပ်ဖွဲ့), is the law enforcement agency of Myanmar. It was established in 1964 as an independent department under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was reorganised on 1 October 1995 and informally became part of the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces of Myanmar).

History[]

The Police Force in Myanmar have an extensive history; the police force also includes local police and regional police in different jurisdictions.

British rule in Myanmar[]

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 (1870–1875) assigned the first police officer to be stationed at Maliwan, a village 24 miles north of current Victoria Point.

Perhaps the most famous policeman in Burma from this period is the author George Orwell, who in 1922 joined the Indian Imperial Police in Burma.

Post-independence (1948–present)[]

On 16 March 1988 following the killing of two students during the pro-democracy demonstrations, students marching on Prome Road were confronted near Inya Lake 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

• Myanmar Railways Police
• Intelligence division

Organisation[]

The current Director General of Myanmar Police Force is Police Lieutenant General Aung Win Oo with its headquarters in Naypyidaw. Its command structure is based on established civil jurisdictions. Under the command of Police Headquarter, State and Region Police force have been established in respective territories of states and divisions with headquarters in their capital cities.^[3]

State and Division Police Forces[]

There are 14 State and Divisional Police Forces and three additional State/Division Police Forces commanded by Police Brigadiers or Colonels. 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

In previous time, the District 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 Colonels and B Classes are Police Majors but there is no classification and all districts assigned with Lieutenant Colonel. Commanders of Township Police Forces are Police Majors and Police Station Officers are Police Captains.

Special Departments[]

There are four Special Departments, in which the first ten Departments are headed by the Police Brigadier Generals and the remaining two are by Police Colonels.

• Security Police Force
• Border Guard Police Force
• Special Intelligence Department (Special Branch)
• Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
• Railways Police Department
• Anti-human Trafficking Police Force
• Maritime Police force
• Aviation Police Force
• Drug Enforcement Division
• Financial Investigation force
• Myanmar Traffic Police
• Tourist Security Police Force
• Oil Field Security Police Force
• Forestry Security Police Force
• Highway Police Force
• Municipal Police Department

Training Centres[]

There are three main Training Centers, one Central Training Institute of Myanmar Police Force and Three Police Training Depots. The State and Divisional Police Forces have their own training centres for refresher courses and Junior Leader (NCO) Courses.

Bachelor's degree holders from Distance Learning University were disqualified from sitting the SIP exam. Thus vast numbers of Bachelor holding police personal were concerned for their future.

Course Name	Duration
Deputy Superintendent Cadet Course	50 weeks
Sub-Inspector Cadet Course	6 weeks
Surveillance Officer Course	6 weeks
Investigation Officer Course	6 weeks
Police Station Officer Course	8 weeks
Staff Officer Course	6 weeks
Township Police Commander Course	8 weeks
District Police Commander Course	12 weeks

No. 1 Police Training Depot[]

The No.1 Police Training Depot is commanded by a Police Lieutenant Colonel and undertakes:

Course Name	Duration
Basic Training Course for Lance Corporal and Corporal	4 weeks
Warrant Officer and Police Sergeants Course	12 Weeks
Basic Training Course for Constables	24 weeks
Clerical Training	4 weeks
Instructor Renewal Course	4 weeks

No. 2 Police Training Depot[]

The No.2 Police Training Depot is also commanded by a Police Lieutenant Colonel, and undertakes only Basic Training Course for Constables, which normally takes around 6 months to complete.

Course Name	Duration
Basic Training Course for Constables	6 Months

Taung Lay Lone Police Training Depot[]

The Taung Lay Lone Police Training Depot is commanded by a Police Lieutenant Colonel and undertakes:

Course Name	Duration
Basic Training Course for lance corporal and Corporal	4 weeks
Warrant Officer and Police Sergeants Course	12 Weeks
Basic Training Course for Constables	6 Months

Combat Police Battalions (SWAT)[]

There are sixteen Police Battalions to carry out general security duties under the command of Battalion Control Command. The Battalion Commandants are Police Lieutenant Colonels. 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 diplomats and their embassies. Seven of these Police Battalions are situated in the Yangon Divisional areas and two in Mandalay and three in Arakan, one in Sagaing, one in Mon State, 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 Battalions and they are subordinate to their respective Regional Military Commands.^[4]

• 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 Shwesaryan)
• 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 (HQ at Pa Lake, Mandalay)
• 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. Most of the weapons are either seized from ethnic wars and narco-insurgents or locally produced copies of the G3 and other weapons phased out of their army.

Pistols[]

• Enfield revolver

• Colt Detective Special

• Ka Pa Sa MA5 MKI

• Ka Pa Sa MA5 MKII

Sub machine gun[]

• Heckler & Koch MP5 (Norinco made NR-08)

• Ka Pa Sa BA-52

• Sten Gun

• BA93

• BA94

• MA13 MKI

• MA13 MKII

Rifles[]

• M1 carbine

• Type-56 Carbine

• Type 63 assault rifle

• M1 Garand

• Lee–Enfield Rifles

• AK-47 series（Including Chinese Type 56）

• M16 rifle

• M4 carbine

• Norinco CQ

• Norinco QBZ 97

• Ka Pa Sa BA63

• Ka Pa Sa MA11

• Ka Pa Sa MA3

Machine gun[]

• Bren Gun

• Ka Pa Sa BA64

• Ka Pa Sa MA12

• Type 81 lmg (seized from narco ethnic insurgents)

• Type 56 lmg (seized from narco ethnic insurgents)

Sniper rifle[]

• M40 rifle (seized from ethnic and narcotic insurgents)

• Ka Pa Sa BA100

• Ka Pa Sa MAS MKII

Non-Lethal Weapons[]

• Taser

• Pepper Spray cans

• Pepper-spray projectile gun

• Pepperball

• Rubber, beanbag, & plastic bullet

• Baton

• Riot shield

• M84 stun grenade

• Tear gas

• M6/M7 series chemical grenade

• Sting grenade

Automobiles[]

Cars and Trucks[]

• Mitsubishi Pajero (confiscated item),

• Chevrolet Suburban (confiscated item),

• Range Rover donated by Foreign Organisations for Anti-drugs Enforcement,

• Mercedes Benz C-Class sedan (confiscated item),

• Toyota Dyna paddy wagon (Private owned vehicles are commonly called as volunteers patrol cars),

• Toyota closed double cab (confiscated item, used by escort team, patrol),

• Mitsubishi double cab (confiscated item, used by Police Col, Yangon),

• Mitsubishi pickup (confiscated item, used by Township Police Station, Yangon),

• Mitsubishi pickup (confiscated item, used by Police Lt Col, Yangon),

• Toyota pickup (confiscated item, used by Township Police Station, Yangon),

• FAW pickup,

• Honda Saloon, Patrol car,

• Jeep, Used by police station,

• Mazda B pick-up, Used by police station,

• Toyota Celica, used as a police lead vehicle and as a high-speed police car to arrest sport cars,

• Nissan Fairlady Z, used as a police lead vehicle and as a high-speed police car to arrest sport cars.

Armoured vehicles[]

Photo	Model	Type	Quantity	Origin	Notes
Armoured vehicle/Armoured personnel carrier
	ZFB-05	Armoured personnel carrier	10[5]	China	Received by 2011, they were transferred to police from Myanmar Army.[5]
	Sinotruk HOWO	Water Cannon truck	unknown	China	One of the most widely use against protesters in February 2021 Myanmar.

Coastal Patrol Craft[]

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
PGM class	Myanmar	331 332 333 334	2012	machine guns

River Patrol Boat[]

Class	Builder	Serial Number	Year Entered Service	Armament	Note
PCE class	Myanmar,  China	171 151 152 153 154 156 001 002 003 161 162	2013	machine guns

Rank structure and insignia[]

Commissioned officers[]

Rank group	General/flag officers										Field/senior officers						Junior officers								Officer cadet
Myanmar Police Force v t
			ရဲဗိုလ်ချုပ်ကြီး Rell bolhkyaotekyee		ဒုရဲဗိုလ်ချုပ်ကြီး Durell bolhkyaotekyee		ရဲဗိုလ်ချုပ် Rell bolhkyaote		ရဲမှူးချုပ် Rell mhauuhkyaote		ရဲမှူးကြီး Rell mhauukyee		ဒုရဲမှူးကြီး Durell mhauukyee		ရဲမှူး Rell mhauu		ဒုရဲမှူး Durell mhauu		ရဲအုပ် Rell aote			ဒုရဲအုပ် Durell aote			ရဲအရာရှိလောင်း Rell aararshi laungg

Enlisted ranks[]

Rank group	Senior NCOs																						Junior NCOs						Enlisted
Myanmar Police Force v t																													No insignia
	ရဲအရာခံဗိုလ်-ပထမတန်း Rell aararhkanbol pahtama taann						ရဲအရာခံဗိုလ်-ဒုတိယတန်း Rell aararhkanbol dutiya taann				ရဲတပ်ကြပ်ကြီး Rell tautkyautkyee												ဒုတပ်ကြပ် Rell tautkyaut				ဒုရဲတပ်ကြပ် Durell tautkyaut		တပ်သား Tautsarr

See also[]

• Aung San
• Rangoon bombing
• Human rights in Burma
• Crime in Burma

References[]

Citations[]

Sources[]

Books[]

Journal articles[]

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