Malawi Police Service

The Malawi Police Service is an independent organ of the executive that is mandated by the constitution to protect public safety and the rights of persons in Malawi.[2] The Malawi Police Service is overseen by an Inspector General of Police.

The Eastern Region Police Headquarters, Zomba

Malawi Police Service
Common nameMalawi Police
AbbreviationMPS
MottoCreating a Safe and Secure Malawi
Agency overview
Formed1921
Preceding agency
  • Nyasaland Police Force
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionMW
Map of Malawi showing Malawi Police Service Jurisdiction
Size118,484 square kilometres (45,747 sq mi)
Population21,196,629[1]
Legal jurisdictionMalawi
Governing bodyMinistry of Homeland Security
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersMalawi National Police Headquarters

Area 30, Lilongwe, Lilongwe 3,

Malawi.
Police Officers<14,500
Agency executive
Parent agencyMalawi Ministry of Homeland Security
Departments
List
  • • Community Policing and Rural Police Units
  • • Criminal Investigations Department
  • • Traffic Department
  • • Marine Department
  • • Airport Police
  • • Police Mobile Services
  • • Administration Branch
  • • Information Technology
  • • Research and Planning Unit
  • • Prosecutions and Legal Department
  • • Internal Affairs Unit
  • • Press and Public Relations
  • • HIV and AIDS Department
  • • Spiritual Department
Regions
List
  • • Northern
  • • Central
  • • Southern
  • • Eastern
  • •Central East
  • •South East
Website
www.police.gov.mw

Police Ranks

Inspector General

The Inspector General is the head of the Malawi Police Service. The position is appointed by the President of Malawi and confirmed by the National Assembly.[2] The Public Appointments Committee may at any time inquire as to the competence of the person.[2] The Inspector General of Police can only serve for five years in that position.[2] The Inspector General of Police can be removed by the president for being incompetent, incapacitated, compromised, or reaching retirement age.[2] The Inspector General oversees the Malawi Police Service (MPS) under Ministry of Internal Affairs and Public Security.[3] The Inspector General is assisted by a Deputy and two commissioners who run the administration and operations respectively.[4] The current Inspector General is remembered for strengthening MPS by establishing two new policing regions, that is, Central East and South East[5]

Inspector generals:

IGPDeputy IGPYears in OfficeAdministration
Mrs M. Yolamuxx2022 to DateLazarus Chakwera
Mr George Kainjaxx2020 to 2022Lazarus Chakwera
Mr Duncan Mwapasaxx2019-2020Peter Mutharika
Mr Rodney Josexx2018-2019Peter Mutharika
Dr Lexten Shame KachamaDuncan Mwapasa2016- 2018Peter Mutharika
Mr Paul Rodrick KanyamaLexten Kachama2015- 2016Peter Mutharika
Mr Lot T.P DzonziNelson Bophani2012–2015Joyce Banda
Mr Peter M Mukhitox2009 - 2012Bingu wa Mutharika
Mr Oliver Mathews Cedric Kumbambex2006-2009Bingu wa Mutharika
Mrs Mary Nangwalex2004 - 2006Bingu wa Mutharika
Joseph Ellywn Aironix2001-2004Bakili Muluzi
Mr Lawrence Chimwazax2000-2001Bakili Muluzi
Mr Bernard B. Mphinjix2000-2000Bakili Muluzi
Mr Kennedy S.M Chirambox1999-2000Bakili Muluzi
Mr Patrick Chikapax1995-1999Bakili Muluzi
Mr Feyani Morrison Chikosax1994-1995Bakili Muluzi
Mc William Lunguzix1990-1994Kamuzu Banda, Bakili Muluzi
Mr Milward Gibson Namasanix1988-1990Kamuzu Banda
Mr Elliot Fanuel MBedzax1987-1988Kamuzu Banda
Mc Lywell Ezron Ngwatax1987-1987Kamuzu Banda
Mr John Kamwanax1981-1987Kamuzu Banda

Societal Impact

During the Hastings Banda regime the police were involved in suppressing dissent. After the 8 March 1992 pastoral letter:

There were public demonstrations in support of the bishops - notably at the University in Blantyre and Zomba, where soldiers indicated their support for the students and deterred violent police action against the protesters. This was the first sign of the army's future political role. In May 1992 student protesters were joined by striking workers in Blantyre. In two days of riots dozens of protesters were killed by armed police and Young Pioneers.[6]

The capabilities of the Malawi Police Service are growing, but its abilities to deter and investigate crimes, assist victims, and apprehend criminals are extremely limited. The police lack basic equipment (particularly transportation), are poorly funded, and do not receive sufficient training. Public support for the police has continued to drop, due in part to alleged corruption and ineffectiveness in deterring criminal activity.[7]

References
  1. "Est Malawi Population July 2020". Central Intelligence Agency: The World Factbook. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  2. "Chapter XV : The Police" (PDF). Humanrightsinitiative.org. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  3. "About MPS - Malawi Police Service". Communitypolicing.mw. 5 October 1921. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  4. "Malawi / Africa / Member countries / Internet / Home - INTERPOL". Interpol.int. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  5. Reporter, Nyasa Times (25 August 2020). "Malawi Police Establishes Two More Policing Regions". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  6. Richard Carver, Malawi: Between the Referendum and the Elections, 1 May 1994, accessed April 2021, citing Amnesty International, "Malawi March–July 1992: mass arrests of suspected government opponents", (AI Index: AFR 36/37/92), September 1992.
  7. "Malawi 2019 Crime & Safety Report". www.osac.gov. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
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