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Malawi Police Service

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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
Branches
List
  • • Investigations Department
  • • Community Policing Department
  • • Criminal Investigations Department
  • • Road Safety and Traffic Services
  • • Marine Police
  • • Airport Police
  • • Police Mobile Services
  • • Human Resource Management and Development
  • • Information and Communications Technology
  • • Research and Planning
  • • Prosecutions
  • • Public Relations, Press and Publications
  • • Support Branches
Regions
List
  • • Northern
  • • Central
  • • Southern
  • • Eastern
  • •Central East
  • •South East
Website
www.police.gov.mw

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

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:

IGP Deputy IGP Years in Office Administration
Mrs M. Yolamu Happy Mkandawire 2022 to Date Lazarus Chakwera
Mr George Kainja Mrs. Meryln Yolamu 2020 to 2022 Lazarus Chakwera
Mr Duncan Mwapasa xx 2019-2020 Peter Mutharika
Mr Rodney Jose xx 2018-2019 Peter Mutharika
Dr Lexten Shame Kachama Duncan Mwapasa 2016- 2018 Peter Mutharika
Mr Paul Rodrick Kanyama Lexten Kachama 2015- 2016 Peter Mutharika
Mr Lot T.P Dzonzi Nelson Bophani 2012–2015 Joyce Banda
Mr Peter M Mukhito x 2009 - 2012 Bingu wa Mutharika
Mr Oliver Mathews Cedric Kumbambe x 2006-2009 Bingu wa Mutharika
Mrs Mary Nangwale x 2004 - 2006 Bingu wa Mutharika
Joseph Ellywn Aironi x 2001-2004 Bakili Muluzi
Mr Lawrence Chimwaza x 2000-2001 Bakili Muluzi
Mr Bernard B. Mphinji x 2000-2000 Bakili Muluzi
Mr Kennedy S.M Chirambo x 1999-2000 Bakili Muluzi
Mr Patrick Chikapa x 1995-1999 Bakili Muluzi
Mr Feyani Morrison Chikosa x 1994-1995 Bakili Muluzi
Mcwilliam Lunguzi x 1990-1994 Kamuzu Banda, Bakili Muluzi
Mr Milward Gibson Namasani x 1988-1990 Kamuzu Banda
Mr Elliot Fanuel MBedza x 1987-1988 Kamuzu Banda
Mc Lywell Ezron Ngwata x 1987-1987 Kamuzu Banda
Mr John Kamwana x 1981-1987 Kamuzu 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. ^ a b c d e "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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