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The Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) is the national police force of the Southern African 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 structure based on the British army. 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

Rank and Insignia
Basutoland Mounted Police 1878–1958	Rank	Major General	Brigadier	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant	Warrant Officer	Staff Sergeant	Sergeant	Lance Sergeant	Private
	Insignia
Basutoland Mounted Police 1958–1966	Rank	Commissioner	Deputy Commissioner	Assistant Commissioner	Senior Superintendent	Superintendent	Senior Inspector	Inspector		Sergeant			Constable
	Insignia
Lesotho Mounted Police 1966–1986	Rank	Commissioner	Deputy Commissioner	Assistant Commissioner	Senior Superintendent	Superintendent	Senior Inspector	Inspector		Sergeant			Constable
	Insignia
Royal Lesotho Mounted Police 1986–1998	Rank	Commissioner	Deputy Commissioner	Assistant Commissioner	Senior Superintendent	Superintendent	Senior Inspector	Inspector		Sergeant			Constable
	Insignia
Lesotho Mounted Police Service 1998–present	Rank	Commissioner	Deputy Commissioner	Assistant Commissioner	Senior Superintendent	Superintendent	Senior Inspector	Inspector		Sergeant			Constable
	Insignia

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) First woman to hold the office
• Kizito Mhlakaza (2012–2014)
• Khothatso Ts'ooana (2014–2015) Youngest to hold the office, aged 36
• Molahlei Letsoepa (2015–2017)
• Holomo Molibeli (2017–2024)
• Dr. Mahlape Morai (February 2024–24 May 2024) Acting Commissioner
• Adv. Borotho Matsoso (24 May 2024–present)

Deputy commissioners

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• Paseka Mokete
• Sera Cedric Makhariele
• Moqhebi Likhama
• Mahlape Morai
• Beleme Lebajoa

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

• Lesotho Defence Force

References

1. "Lesotho Mounted Police Service". dijcolorg.free.fr. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
2. "Matsoso appointed new Police Commissioner". The Reporter Lesotho. 2024-05-26. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
3. "Matsoso sworn in as a police commissioner". Lesotho News Agency. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
4. 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.
5. Tylden, G (December 1969). "Basutoland Roll of Honour 1851-1881". Military History Journal. 1 (5). The South African Military History Society. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
6. "About Lesotho Mounted Police Service". www.lmps.org.ls. LMPS. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
7. "Matsoso appointed new Police Commissioner | The Reporter Lesotho | Fresh News, Daily". 26 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.

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