# Lesotho Mounted Police Service

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 |
| Basutoland Mounted Police 1878–1958 | Insignia | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basutoland Mounted Police 1958–1966 | Rank | Commissioner | Deputy Commissioner | Assistant Commissioner | Senior Superintendent | Superintendent | Senior Inspector | Inspector | Inspector | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Constable | Constable |
| Basutoland Mounted Police 1958–1966 | Insignia | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Lesotho Mounted Police 1966–1986 | Rank | Commissioner | Deputy Commissioner | Assistant Commissioner | Senior Superintendent | Superintendent | Senior Inspector | Inspector | Inspector | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Constable | Constable |
| Lesotho Mounted Police 1966–1986 | Insignia | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Royal Lesotho Mounted Police 1986–1998 | Rank | Commissioner | Deputy Commissioner | Assistant Commissioner | Senior Superintendent | Superintendent | Senior Inspector | Inspector | Inspector | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Constable | Constable |
| Royal Lesotho Mounted Police 1986–1998 | Insignia | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Lesotho Mounted Police Service 1998–present | Rank | Commissioner | Deputy Commissioner | Assistant Commissioner | Senior Superintendent | Superintendent | Senior Inspector | Inspector | Inspector | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Constable | Constable |
| Lesotho Mounted Police Service 1998–present | 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

* 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.