View source for Myanmar Police Force

{{Short description|Law enforcement agency}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}

{{More citations needed|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname       = Myanmar Police Force
| nativenamea      = {{lang|my|မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ ရဲတပ်ဖွဲ့}}
| nativenamer      = 
| patch            = Badge of the Myanmar Police Force.svg
| patchcaption     = Coat of arms
| logo             = Myanmar Police Emblem.svg
| logocaption      = Emblem
| badge            = 
| badgecaption     = 
| flag             = Flag of the Myanmar Police Force.svg
| flagcaption      = Flag
| image_size       = 
| commonname       = 
| abbreviation     = 
| motto            = "ကူညီပါရစေ"<br />(May I help you.)
| mottotranslated  = 
| formed           =  {{Start date and age|df=yes|1964}}
| preceding1       = [[Indian Imperial Police]]
| dissolved        = 
| superseding      = 
| employees        = 93,000 (2012){{sfn|Selth|2012|p=59}}
| budget           = 
| legalpersonality = 
| legaljuris       = Myanmar
| country          = Myanmar
| constitution1    = <!-- up to | constitution6 = -->
| police           = yes 
| speciality1      = <!-- up to | speciality6 = -->
| headquarters     = [[Naypyidaw]] 
| minister1name    = [[Moe Aung]]
| minister1pfo     = Minister of Home Affairs
| chief1name       = Lieutenant general [[Ni Lin Aung]]
| chief1position   = Chief of Police<ref>{{cite web|title=Deputy Minister appointed and concurrently assigned to the duties of Chief of Myanmar Police Force|url=https://www.moi.gov.mm/moi:eng/announcements/6940|access-date=3 May 2022|archive-date=3 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503051023/https://www.moi.gov.mm/moi:eng/announcements/6940|url-status=live}}</ref>
| parentagency     = [[Ministry of Home Affairs (Burma)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]
| child1agency     = State and Division Police
| child2agency     = Special Forces
| child3agency     = Training Department
| child4agency     = Reserve Units
| child5agency     = Combat Police Battalions
| child6agency     =Anti-Narcotics Task Force
| website          = {{official website|https://policeforce.gov.mm}}
| footnotes        = 
}}
The '''Myanmar Police Force''' ({{langx|my|မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ ရဲတပ်ဖွဲ့}}), formerly the '''People's Police Force''' ({{lang|my|ပြည်သူ့ ရဲတပ်ဖွဲ့}}), is the law enforcement agency of [[Myanmar]]. It was established in 1964 as an independent department under the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (Myanmar)|Ministry of Home Affairs]].

== 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 primary police force in British Burma was the [[Burma Police]]. In addition, there was a paramilitary [[Burma Military Police]], the Railway Police, and the Rangoon Town Police. From roughly 1891, most executive positions within the Burma Police were filled by members of the [[Indian Imperial Police]] cadre.

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 [[Kawthaung|Victoria Point]].

Perhaps the most famous policeman in Burma from this period is the author [[George Orwell]], who in 1922 joined the [[Indian Police Service|Indian Imperial Police]] in [[Burma]]. Another famous colonial policeman in Burma was Hector Hugh Munro, known as [[Saki]].

===Post-independence (1948–present)===
[[File:Myanmar police in Bahan Township (Aung Naing Soe-VOA).jpg|thumb|Myanmar police officers blocking protesters in [[Bahan Township]], [[Yangon Region|Yangon]].]]

On 16 March 1988 following the killing of two students during the [[8888 Uprising|pro-democracy demonstrations]], [[student]]s marching on [[Prome]] Road were confronted near [[Inya Lake]] by the security force riot police and many beaten to death or drowned.

Despite controversies and corruption accusations, the Burmese police and the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (Myanmar)|Home Affairs Ministry]] play an important role in the country, solving numerous crimes.

[[File:Myanmar_Border_Guard_Police_Observing_the_Bangladesh_Border.png|thumb|Police watching the Bangladesh border]]


The national police are made up of several smaller entities, including
* Myanmar Railways Police
* Intelligence division

==Organisation==
The current [[director general of police|Director General of Myanmar Police Force]] is Major General [[Zin Min Htet]] with its headquarters in [[Naypyidaw]]. Its command structure is based on established civil jurisdictions. Under the command of police headquarters, state and region police forces have been established in respective territories of states and divisions with headquarters in their capital cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aseanapol.org/information/myanmar-police-force|access-date=2022-04-22|title=Myanmar Police Force|work=ASEANPOL|archive-date=8 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508094256/http://www.aseanapol.org/information/myanmar-police-force|url-status=live}}</ref>

===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 colonel]]s, and B Classes are police [[Major (rank)|major]]s, but there is no classification and all districts assigned with lieutenant colonel. Commanders of township police forces are police [[Major (rank)|major]]s, and police station officers are police [[captain]]s.

===Special Departments===
There are four Special Departments, in which the first ten departments are headed by the police [[brigadier general]]s and the remaining two are by police [[colonel]]s.
* Security Police Force 
* [[Border Guard Police|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===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:myanmar police graduation.jpg|thumb|right]] -->
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 ([[Non-commissioned officer|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.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 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:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 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.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 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:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 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 [[Battalion]]s to carry out general security duties under the command of Battalion Control Command. The [[Battalion]] [[Commandant]]s are Police [[Lieutenant Colonel]]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]]s 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]] [[Battalion]]s and they are subordinate to their respective [[Myanmar Army|Regional Military Commands]].{{sfn|Selth|2012|p=59}}
* 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 (HQ at Pyay/Prome)
* 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 ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Myanmar Police Uniforms.jpg|thumb|right|People's Police & Traffic Police uniforms]] -->
26 special anti-narcotic task forces have been established under the direction of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control.

== Equipment ==

=== Small arms ===
Myanmar Police Force uses a wide range of weapons and ammunitions, ranging from [[Second World War]] vintage weapons to modern sophisticated ones.

Most of the weapons are either seized from ethnic militias and criminals or are locally-produced copies of the [[Heckler & Koch G3|G3]] and other weapons phased out by the army.
{| class="wikitable" width="100%" border="0"
! width="25%" |Name
! width="25%" |Country of origin
! width="25%" |Type
!References
|-
|[[Enfield revolver]]
|{{Flag|United Kingdom}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Revolver]]
|
|-
|[[Colt Detective Special]]
|{{Flag|United States}}
|
|-
|[[Browning Hi-Power|Ka Pa Sa MA5 MKI]]
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|Myanmar}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Semi-automatic pistol]]
|
|-
|[[Glock|Ka Pa Sa MA5 MKII]]
|
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch MP5|Norinco NR-08]]
|{{Flag|China}}
| rowspan="7" |[[Submachine gun]]
|
|-
|[[TZ-45|Ka Pa Sa BA-52]]
| rowspan="5" |{{Flag|Myanmar}}
|
|-
|[[Uzi|Ka Pa Sa BA-93]]
|
|-
|[[Uzi|Ka Pa Sa BA-94]]
|
|-
|[[Uzi|Ka Pa Sa MA13 MKI]]
|
|-
|[[Uzi|Ka Pa Sa MA13 MKII]]
|
|-
|[[Sten|Sten Gun]]
|{{Flag|United Kingdom}}
|
|-
|Greener GP
|{{Flag|United States}}
|[[Shotgun]]
|<ref name="Mygp"> [https://www.guns.com/news/2017/05/20/the-greener-police-shotgun-engineered-gun-control The Greener Police Shotgun: Engineered gun control?] May 20, 2017. Chris Egert. Guns.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130173430/https://www.guns.com/news/2017/05/20/the-greener-police-shotgun-engineered-gun-control|date=November 30, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch G3|Ka Pa Sa BA63]]
| rowspan="3" |{{Flag|Myanmar}}
| rowspan="14" |[[Assault rifle]]
|
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch HK33|Ka Pa Sa MA11]]
|
|-
|[[IMI Galil|Ka Pa Sa MA3]]
|
|-
|[[Lee–Enfield]]
|{{Flag|United Kingdom}}
|<ref>{{cite web |date=May 13, 2023 |title=The Enfield No.4 in Myanmar after WWII |url=https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2023/05/13/the-enfield-no-4-in-myanmar-after-wwii/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514183140/https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2023/05/13/the-enfield-no-4-in-myanmar-after-wwii/ |archive-date=May 14, 2023}} </ref>
|-
|[[M1 carbine]]
| rowspan="4" |{{Flag|United States}}
|
|-
|[[M1 Garand]]
|
|-
|[[M16 rifle]]
|<ref name="Mygp" />
|-
|[[M4 carbine]]
|
|-
|[[SKS|Type 56]] 
| rowspan="5" |{{Flag|China}}
|
|-
|[[Type 56]]
|
|-
|[[Type 63 assault rifle|Type 63]]
|
|-
|[[Norinco CQ]]
|
|-
|[[Norinco QBZ 97]]
|
|-
|[[AK-47]]
|{{Flag|Soviet Union}}
|
|-
|[[Bren Gun]]
|{{Flag|United Kingdom}}
| rowspan="5" |[[Machine gun]]
|
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch G3|Ka Pa Sa BA64]]
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|Myanmar}}
|
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch HK33|Ka Pa Sa MA12]]
|
|-
|[[Type 81 assault rifle|Type 81]]
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|China}}
|
|-
|[[RPD machine gun|Type 56]]
|
|-
|[[M40 rifle]] 
|{{Flag|United States}}
| rowspan="3" |[[Sniper rifle]]
|
|-
|[[Heckler & Koch G3|Ka Pa Sa BA100]]
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|Myanmar}}
|
|-
|[[Zastava M91|Ka Pa Sa MAS MKII]]
|
|}

=== Non-Lethal Weapons ===

* [[Taser]]
* [[Pepper Spray]] cans
* [[Pepper-spray projectile]] gun
* [[Pepperball]]
* [[rubber bullet|Rubber]], [[Bean bag round|beanbag]], & [[plastic bullet]]
* [[Baton (law enforcement)|Baton]]
* [[Riot shield]]
* [[M84 stun grenade]]
* [[Tear gas]]
* [[United States hand grenades#M6/A1, M7/A1, M7A2, M7A3 and M54|M6/M7 series chemical grenade]]
* [[Hand grenade#Sting|Sting grenade]]

===Automobiles===

====Cars and Trucks====

* [[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 volunteer patrol cars),
* [[Toyota Land Cruiser (J70)|Toyota closed double cab]] (confiscated item, used by escort team, patrol),
* [[Mitsubishi L-200#Second generation (K00/K10/K20/K30;1986–1996)|Mitsubishi double cab]] (confiscated item, used by Police Col, Yangon),
* [[Mitsubishi L-200#Second generation (K00/K10/K20/K30;1986–1996)|Mitsubishi pickup]] (confiscated item, used by Township Police Station, Yangon),
* [[Mitsubishi L-200#Second generation (K00/K10/K20/K30;1986–1996)|Mitsubishi pickup]] (confiscated item, used by Police Lt Col, Yangon),
* [[Toyota Hilux#Fifth generation (N80, N90, N100, N110; 1988)|Toyota pickup]] (confiscated item, used by Township Police Station, Yangon),
* [[FAW-GM Kuncheng|FAW pickup]],
* [[Honda Civic#Fifth generation (1991)|Honda Saloon]], Patrol car,
* [[Jeep]], Used by police station,
* [[Mazda B-Series#Fourth generation (UF; 1985–1998)|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 ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;"
|-
! width="10%"| Photo
! width="15%"| Model
! width="15%"| Type
! width="5%"| Quantity
! width="15%"| Origin
! Notes
|-
! colspan="8" | [[Armored car (military)|Armoured vehicle]]/[[Armoured personnel carrier]]
|-
|
|[[ZFB-05]]
|[[Armoured personnel carrier]]
|10<ref name=trade>{{cite web |url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |title=Trade Registers |publisher=Armstrade.sipri.org |access-date=1 January 2015 |archive-date=12 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185733/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
|{{Flagu|China}}
| Received by 2011, they were transferred to police from Myanmar Army.<ref name=trade/>
|-
|-
|
|[[China National Heavy Duty Truck Group|Sinotruk HOWO]]
|[[Water cannon]] truck
|unknown
|{{flagu|China}}
|One of the most widely used against protesters in February 2021  [[Myanmar]].
|-
| 
|[[Myanmar Directorate of Defence Industries|BAAC-87]]
|[[Armoured personnel carrier]]  
|unknown
|{{flagu|Myanmar}}
|One of the most widely used against protesters in February 2021  [[Myanmar]].
|-
|-
|}

===Coastal Patrol Craft===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%; width:50%"
|-
!width=50px|Class
!width=50px|Builder
!width=50px|Serial Number
!width=50px|Year Entered Service
!width=50px|Armament
!width=50px|Note
|-
| PGM class|| {{MYA}} ||  '''331<br />332<br />333<br />334''' || 2012 || machine guns  || |
|-
|}

===River Patrol Boat===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%; width:50%"
|-
!width=50px|Class
!width=50px|Builder
!width=50px|Serial Number
!width=50px|Year Entered Service
!width=50px|Armament
!width=50px|Note
|-
| PCE class|| {{MYA}}, {{CHN}} ||  '''171<br />151<br />152<br />153<br />154<br />156<br />001<br />002<br />003<br />161<br />162''' || 2013 || machine guns  || |
|-
|}

==Rank structure and insignia==
=== Commissioned officers ===
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Myanmar Police}}
|}

=== Enlisted ranks ===
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Myanmar Police}}
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Myanmar|Current events}}
* [[Aung San]]
* [[Rangoon bombing]]
* [[Human rights in Burma]]
* [[Crime in Burma]]
* [[Bureau of Special Investigation]]

==References==
{{commons category|Police of Myanmar}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===

====Books====
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Selth |first1=Andrew |title=Burma's Armed Forces: Power Without Glory |date=2002 |publisher=EastBridge |location=Norwalk, CT |isbn=1891936190}}
{{refend}}

====Journal articles====
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Egreteau|first1=Renaud|title=The Inchoate Legislative Scrutiny of the Myanmar Police Forces: A Study of the USDP Legislature (2011–16)|journal=Contemporary Southeast Asia|date=2021|volume=43|issue=3|pages=531–556|url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/845144/|jstor=27096072|issn=1793-284X}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Selth |first1=Andrew |title=Myanmar's Police Forces: Coercion, Continuity and Change |journal=Contemporary Southeast Asia |date=2012 |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=53–79 |doi=10.1355/cs34-1c |jstor=41446244 |hdl=10072/47547 |s2cid=145259666 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41446244 |issn=0129-797X |hdl-access=free |access-date=20 December 2021 |archive-date=20 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220234609/https://www.jstor.org/stable/41446244 |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}

{{Myanmar topics}}
{{Asia topic|Law enforcement in}}
{{Police}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Law of Myanmar]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in Myanmar]]
[[Category:Military of Myanmar]]
[[Category:1964 establishments in Burma]]