REVISED

STANDING ORDERS
OF THE

LESOTHO MOUNTED POLICE

SERVICE

2016
Page 1 of 226
PREAMBLE
These Standing Orders are issued under the provision of section 13(2) read
together with section 13(1) of Police Service Act No.7 of 1998; thus, “The
Commissioner may issue such Standing Orders for the general control
and administration of the Police Service as he may deem necessary”.
Whereas subsection 1 shows that “The Police Service shall, subject to the
provisions of this Act and the general direction of the Police Authority, be
under the command of the Commissioner and no member of the Police
Service shall be subject to the command of any other person or authority”.

The Commissioner of Police will, acting from his personal observation

and/or being duly advised by the Commissioner’s Advisory Board (CAB),
ensure that amendments and cancellations are made immediately when it is
necessary to do so.

Standing orders do not cover all the duties performed by police but they are
intended to assist efficiency and uniformity in the performance of police
duties and matters incidental thereto.

____________________________
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
POLICE HEADQUARTERS MASERU

DATE……………………………..

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SECTION 1
ORGANISATION, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.1STRUCTURE
(a) The Lesotho Mounted Police Service Rank Structure:

Listed below are the ranks within the Lesotho Mounted Police Service from the
top rank down to the lowest rank.

(i) Commissioner of Police

(ii) Deputy Commissioner of Police
(iii) Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police
(iv) Assistant Commissioner of Police
(v) Senior Superintendent
(vi) Superintendent
(vii) Senior Inspector
(viii) Inspector
(ix) Sub-Inspector
(x) Sergeant
(xi) Lance Sergeant
(xii) Police Constable
(xiii) Recruit
(xiv) Police Assistant

(b) Policing Areas

Lesotho is divided into three (3) Policing Regions: Central Region, North
Region and South Region. It is further divided into eleven (11) Policing
Districts all of which form the three Policing Regions. The eleven Policing
Districts are; Maseru Urban, Maseru Rural, Thaba-Tseka, Berea, Leribe, Butha-
Buthe, Mokhotlong, Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing and Qacha’s Nek.

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 CENTRAL REGION

MASERU URBAN
CENTRAL POLICE STATION THETSANE POLICE POST

PITSO GROUND POLICE LITHOTENG POLICE POST

STATION
HOOHLO POLICE POST MABOTE POLICE STATION
TRAFFIC DIVISION
THAMAE POLICE POST TRAFFIC DIVISION
LICE STATION

VEHICLE THEFT DETECTION AND

MASERU CALDON BORDER POST
COUNTER ROBBERY CRIME UNIT

SERIOUS CRIME UNIT

MASERU RURAL
MASERU RURAL
MASERU RURAL HQ MARAKABEI POLICE POST

ROMA POICE STATION SEMONKONG POLICE STATION

MORIJA POLICE STATION MOKHALINYANE POLICE POST

MOHALE POLICE POST MATELA POLICE STATION

MOFOKA POLICE POST RAMABANTA POLICE POST

SEMIONE POLICE POST

THABA-TSEKA

BOKONG POLICE POST MANTS’ONYANE POLICE POST

MASHAI POLICE POST

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 NORTH REGION

BEREA

MAPOTENG POLICE STATION PULANE POLICE POST

SEFIKENG POLICE POST

LERIBE

LERIBE POLICE STATION LEJONE POLICE POST

MAPUTSOE POLICE STATION MAPUTSOE BORDER POST

PITSENG POLICE STATION PEKA BORDER POLICE POST

PEKA POLICE POST

TLALINYANE POLICE POST

BUTHA-BUTHE

MUELA POLICE STATION MONONTŠA BRIDGE POLICE POST

JOEL’S DRIFT POLICE POST CALEDONSPOORT BORDER POLICE POST

QHOLAQHOE POLICE POST HENDRICK’S DRIFT POLICE POST

MOKHOTLONG

TLOKOENG POLICE STATION SANI TOP BRIDGE POLICE POST

LETŠENG POLICE POST

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 SOUTH REGION
MAFETENG

TŠAKHOLO POLICE STATION VANROOYEN’S GATE BORDER POST

THABANA-MORENA POLICE POST TŠUPANE BORDER POST

MATELILE POLICE STATION SEPHAPHO’S GATE BORDER POST

MOHALE’S HOEK

KETANE POLICE POST MAKHALENG BORDER POST

LIPHIRING POLICE POST MPHARANE POLICE POST

PHAMONG POLICE POST

QUTHING

MOUNT MOOROSI POLICE STATION TŠITSONG POLICE POST

DILLI-DILLI POLICE POST TELE BORDER POST

MPHAKI POLICE POST

QACHA’S NEK

PAULOSI POLICE POST RAMATŠELISO BORDER POST

SEKAKE POLICE POST PAOLOSI POLICE POST

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1.2DISPOLS FORUM
There shall be the District Commissioners Forum which shall be known as
the DISPOLS Forum.

1.2.1 Background
For over a long period of time it has been apparent that officers of the rank
of Senior Superintendent and/or DISPOLS do not have a platform where
they share and exchange ideas and experiences in both operational and
administrative issues. These officers are the cornerstone of the LMPS as
they have an enormous responsibility of executing and overseeing most
policies and strategies because of where they are positioned. It is therefore
very crucial that there is uniformity maintained in a manner in which they
operate, hence the formation of the DISPOLS Forum.
1.2.2 Composition
It shall comprise District Commissioners and any other Senior
Superintendents.
1.2.3 Purpose
The purpose of the meeting is to create a platform for members of the forum
to;
 Have an opportunity to strategically discuss the successes and
challenges.
 Tackle each other with ideas on how to overcome their challenges at
their workplaces.
 Make suggestions and forward them to the members of Commissioner’s
Advisory Board (CAB) through ACP SMSS for approval, action or
further discussions.
1.2.4 Frequency of the meeting
 The meetings shall be held on the quarterly basis chaired by ACP SMSS.
1.2.5 Terms of reference
 For improved performance within the LMPS, in their sittings the
members of the forum will do the following;
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  Discuss the administrative issues at large i.e. at district level and also at
the organizational level and make recommendations which will be
forwarded to ACP SMSS for further action e.g. funds allocation and
utilization, allowances and welfare issues.
 Obtain information and instructions from time to time from the top
management of the LMPS.
 Notwithstanding the uniqueness of their respective policing areas,
discuss and share information and policing strategies for better
performance e.g. rollout of community policing, cross border crime
issues, stock theft etc.
 From time to time, discuss in depth issues pertaining to LMPS policies
and most significantly pick oversights and come up with
recommendations e.g. transfer and placement, promotion, recruitment
and selection, training and development policies etc.
 Discuss and harmonize issues that are expected to be done in a certain
way in order to maintain standard and avoid irregularities e.g. drafting of
operations order, writing of intelligence report, discipline across LMPS
etc.
 Collectively identify and suggest the training needs of the members of
the forum based on the challenges that they meet on daily basis in order
to close the gap and for improved performance.
 Any other issues that may emerge from time to time.

1.3 DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

Police Officers in command of Police stations are subordinate to, and under the
instructions of, the District Commissioners in which they are serving and they
must keep them fully acquainted with all matters relating to their charge and
with all details of the movements and work.

Police Officers in charge of Police Stations, when having to deal with matters
of policy upon which no directive has been issued, or with problems known to
be likely to be of general territorial application, should after taking any
immediate action necessary, report the matter to the District Commissioner so

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 that future action may be taken upon the personal authority or direction of the
Commissioner of Police.

Related tasks:
a) Prevention and detection of crime within their area, the prompt
investigation of all crimes and offences reported or coming to their notice
and the maintenance of law and order.
b) The exercise or proper supervision of all cases under investigation by
their subordinates.
c) The giving of advice and instruction to their subordinates where necessary
and to give practical demonstrations on the correct methods to be adopted
in the conduct of all Police duties.
d) The supervision of and the keeping in a tidy and neat manner, of all books
and record that are required to be kept in accordance with Standing
Orders.
e) The safe custody of all arms and ammunition and that all stores and
equipment on the station are accurate and maintained in good order.
f) The prompt investigations of complaints against members of Police under
their charge and the reporting of the result of such investigations to
District Commissioners or to Regional Commissioners in the absence of
District Commissioners.
g) The care of all government buildings on their stations.
h) Close cooperation with District Commissioners and communicating with
them personally on matters dealing with crime and the public peace
within their jurisdiction

1.4 GENERAL DUTIES OF SENIOR AND SUBORDINATE POLICE OFFICERS

It should be the aim of every Senior and Subordinate Police officer first to gain
the confidence of his subordinate and to let them feel assured of due credit for
good work, a fair hearing and loyal support in all difficulties; and secondly, to
have such knowledge of, and to be on such terms with the Police officers
subordinate to them that they shall know that they cannot impose on him and
cannot earn their good opinion except by honest work.

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 They shall attend office at regular hours and shall be accessible to their
subordinates and encourage them to discuss their difficulties with them.

A contented staff must be the aim of Senior and Subordinate Police officers and
they will see that the subordinates work zealously and efficiently. It is their
duty to observe their subordinates’ conduct impartially and to report upon the
special abilities or shortcomings of members of the Police Service under their
command.

1.5 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION (CID) POLICE OFFICERS

Ammunition utilised for guards, escorts etc, and kept for temporary issue at
Police Stations shall be expended with the loose ammunition and replaced with
the newer rounds.
Police Officers shall be appointed to the CID on permanent basis after the
completion of the probation period having portrayed necessary capabilities.
They may at any time be directed by the Commissioner to revert to the Uniform
Branch or may make application to return to the Uniform Branch.
Police Officers appointed to the CID will assume the title of Detective and are
entitled to draw an allowance as prescribed from time to time by the Ministry of
Public Service having been initiated by the COMPOL. This allowance may
only be drawn for periods during which these Police officers are engaged on
CID duties. The allowance will cease to be drawn if a police officer is absent
from CID duties for a continuous period of more than twenty-one (21) days.
Police officers who are attached in this branch must wear formal attire unless
duty dictates otherwise.
No item of police uniform will be worn by CID police officers. CID police
officers appearing in public, or paying official visits are representing LMPS,
and will be suitably dressed at all times. All Police officers appointed to CID
will hand over all issued uniform to Police Headquarters.
Except in unusual circumstances which will be reported to the Officer
Commanding CID, the CID officers will not be expected to undertake charge
office, traffic, or administrative duties (such as registry, accounts, salaries).

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 If the state of crime is such that the CID is unable to cope with it, the District
Commissioner shall supply the assistance of experienced staff from the
Uniform Branch to assist the CID in the investigations or inquiries.

1.6 CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICES (CIS)

Criminal Intelligence Service officers will be appointed in the same way as CID
officers and they will assume the title of Detective. They will be entitled to the
same allowance in the same manner and at the same rate as CID officers.
CIS officers fall under the direction of Officer Commanding CIS and will be
responsible to him for the proper performance of duties as may be assigned to
them.
At stations to which a CIS officer is posted, such officer will be subordinate to
District Commissioner and will carry out instructions relating to his job
description, which the District Commissioner must familiarise himself with.
The principal duty of the CIS officer is the collection, analysis, recording, and
dissemination of crime intelligence for the information of LMPS P.H.Q. and his
Police officer in charge. He will also perform such other duties as may be
assigned to him.
During riots or disturbances he will not normally be required to assist with the
forcible control of rioters unless the situation is such as to make his active
participation a matter of absolute necessity. His primary responsibility will be
to observe and record the actions of rioters, to identify ring leaders, to obtain
photographs when possible and to take such other steps as may be necessary to
enable him to render a comprehensive and accurate report on the course of the
disturbance and on the action of the participants.
It is to be clearly understood that a CIS officer is a member of the station unit
and cannot operate efficiently unless he cooperates with other members of the
LMPS and, in turn, receives assistance from them. The presence of the CIS
officer at the station does not relieve other members of LMPS of the duty to
collect and report information as and when need arises.

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1.7 INTELLIGENCE AFFECTING THE PUBLIC PEACE
The attention of all members of LMPS is drawn to section 4 read with section
24 of the Police Service Act No. 7 of 1998. These sections of the law impose
the duty on every member of LMPS to collect and communicate intelligence
affecting the public peace.
District Commissioners are instructed to bring this to the attention of all
members of the LMPS under their command. It must be realized by all ranks
that the obtaining and passing on of information, which might affect the public
peace, must be through the proper channels to DISPOL who might decide to act
accordingly even before forwarding it to REGIPOL and then to PHQ,
depending on the nature and urgency of the reported matter. This is not a duty
imposed only on CIS branch but on every single member of the LMPS.
Failure to collect or communicate intelligence affecting the public peace by any
member of the LMPS might be deemed to be neglect of duty.

1.8 CHANGE OF COMMAND

1.8.1 Handing over notes
(a) Prior to handing over a command, the Police Officer handing over shall
prepare for his successor, notes on all matters pertaining to the command.

(b) Such notes will be the medium by which the relieving Police Officer will be
advised on those subjects which have been actively engaging the attention of
the command and will assist in the coordination of policy and progression
towards a definite and common objective.
(c) In the case of handing over of stations, an opinion should also be expressed
as to the ability, work, efficiency and zeal of each member of the
detachment.
(d) The taking over Police Officer will study carefully the notes and take such
steps to give effect to the recommendations, to institute improvements, or
rectify faults, as may be necessary.

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 NB: Three copies of the relieved officer’s handing over notes must be sent to
the District Commissioner, who will retain one copy for record and submit the
other copies to REGIPOL and LMPS HQ.
Whenever cash, stamps, revenue forms, cash boxes, safes or safes’ keys are
handed over, signed handing over certificates will be completed and submitted
by Officer Commanding Police Station to LMPS HQ through REGIPOL.

1.8.2 Handing and taking over certificates

On completion of the change of command, a certificate in the form shown
hereunder, suitably modified when a command is being handed over, will be
prepared and signed. One copy will be sent to LMPS HQ and one copy to the
District HQ. One copy should be retained by the Officer handing over and one
by the Officer taking over.

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THE LESOTHO MOUNTED POLICE SERVICE

Region, District Headquarters, Police Station, Police Post or Unit

(NB: Cancel whichever not applicable)

………....................................................................................................................
I, No................. Rank.................. Name.........................................., acknowledge
that I have taken over from No............... Rank............... Name.....................,
on this.................. day of.................., 20................. at...........................................
the following, which agree with the Region, District Headquarters, Police
Station, Police Post or Unit records but for the exceptions shown on the
attached list for which the explanations of the outgoing officer reflected:
Arms
Ammunition
Equipment and Stores
Cash M……………..
Safe NO…………….
Safe keys NO…….……..
Cash Box
Cash Box Keys
Office furniture
Police Station Books
Police Station Correspondence Files
Motor Vehicles
Horses
Code Word
R.C.I. for the dockets opened (Total number…………………..)
Fodder
Emergency Patrol Reserve……………………………gallons
Handing over notes
Police seal
Exhibits
Personnel
Etc.
………………………. ................................
(Handing over Officer) (Receiving Officer)
Dated………………..20…………

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SECTION 2
RELATIONS OF DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS WITH DISTRICT
ADMINISTRATION AND BASOTHO AUTHORITIES

2.1 LIAISON WITH ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT

The District Commissioner is, within the limits of his district, the principal
executive officer of the government and is responsible for the peace, good order
and tranquillity of the district.
The officer in charge of a Police Station, or Post will keep in close touch with,
and seek the advice of the District Commissioner on all matters concerning his
area, and will keep the District Commissioner fully and specially informed of
all matters relating to the well-being and management of the District from a
Police point of view, of the occurrence and progress of all cases of grave crime,
and of all charges affecting public servants or departments.
An Inspecting Police Officer should see the District Commissioner on his visit
to a district, and should whenever possible let the District Commissioner know
in advance of the projected visit, except for those which are intended for
surprise inspection.
The LMPS is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient prevention
and detection of crime throughout the country. As such, it must work in close
cooperation with District Administrators, who are responsible for the general
administration of the country under the direction of the Minister, and with the
Prosecutors and Magistrates who are responsible for administration of justice in
the country.

2.2 LIAISON WITH BASOTHO AUTHORITIES

When no Administrative Police Officer is available, the Senior Police Officer in
that District will assume temporary administrative charge of the district. He will
communicate directly with the Heads of both Governmental Departments and
Non-Governmental Organizations at district level on administrative and
operational matters.
However, such a Police Officer will not assume functions which vest on
administrative Police Officer by statute.

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 Transfer of Cases
Transfer of cases to the appropriate courts is governed by the jurisdiction of the
court in a particular case. The jurisdiction of cases is determined in respect of
nature of the case, severity of the punishment to be imposed, territorial
jurisdictions of the courts, etc. On completion of investigation the District
Commissioner will direct which court the investigator shall transfer the docket
to. It is important to note that such powers may be delegated to other Police
officers under his command. In exercising such discretion the District
Commissioner or delegated Police officer shall consult with the Office of the
Prosecution.
The instructions on transfer of cases shall be reflected in the Investigation Diary
(LMPS 6) of such docket and all relevant particulars of the same docket will be
reflected in the approved movement of dockets of the Station or Police Post
concerned. The docket shall not be transferred to the court without approval of
the District Commissioner and or any other person exercising delegated
authority.

Investigation in Villages
Police personnel shall accord courtesy to the Basotho Authorities at all times.
Whenever it is possible or necessary and expedient the village Headman shall
accompany the police personnel on their investigations. Whenever it is
reasonably possible and expedient, police personnel will report to the Basotho
Authority or Headman prior to commencing the investigations and ask for
assistance or the services. However, this will depend on the nature of the
investigations to be made and the instructions of the Police Officer in charge to
the detail concerned.

2.3 LIAISON WITH LAW OFFICE

The dockets referring to the following cases must be referred to the Director of
Public Prosecutions (DPP) through the Office of District Commissioner for
authority to proceed with a trial or Preparatory Examination (PE) before such
trial or PE is commenced:
1. Cases whose jurisdiction is in the High Court only after PE namely murder,
treason and sedition.

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 2. A member of the Senate or the National Assembly;
3. A senior official or a civil servant e.g. Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Permanent
Secretary, Head of Department or Professional Officer such as Magistrate,
Doctor etc.
4. In cases other than those to be tried by the High Court after P.E. the docket
should, whenever practicable, be referred to the DPP before arrest and
before a charge is preferred against the person concerned.

NB: The above instructions are not exclusive and should not be taken as
preventing any other case being referred to the DPP for decision or advice
whenever such is considered necessary or desirable. Moreover, it should be
noted that prior to referring cases to the DPP, our Legal Offices shall be
involved to enhance investigation and offer legal advice to the District
Commissioners concerned.

2.4 LIAISON WITH EXPERT WITNESS

Since securing conviction is the concern of COMPOL, Doctors and other expert
witnesses should be served with written subpoena to attend court on the day that
they will be required to give evidence giving them as much notice as possible.
The subpoena should be confirmed orally or by radio message shortly before
the hearing whenever practicable.
It is the duty of Police to ensure that subpoena and summons have been duly
served. Where a witness is stationed locally he can remain on call at his hospital
or other place of duty and be warned by telephone shortly before his attendance
is required.

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SECTION 3
INSPECTIONS

3.1 INSPECTION BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

When COMPOL inspects the Police Training College or any other Police
Station/Post, all available Police officers will be paraded at such time as may be
notified. All uniform personnel shall dress in full uniform while detectives shall
dress formally unless otherwise directed. Police Officers who are required to
adduce evidence in courts, or those granted leave of absence by the District
Commissioner shall not parade.

Formation of the Parade

The senior Sergeant (Serried File) will cause the parade to form up and to fix
Bayonets before the arrival of the COMPOL. The Serried File will cause all
other N.C.Os to fall in and take their positions at the rear middle of every guard.
The Serried File will hand over the parade to the Inspector (RSM = Regimental
Sergeant Major) who is senior in rank. The RSM will cause the Serried File to
take his post at the rear middle of the parade. The RSM will then hand over the
parade to the Parade Commander (who is normally from the rank of
Superintendent and above). The Parade Commander will cause the RSM to take
his post, four paces, behind Serried File.
The Commander of the parade will stand six paces in front, at the centre of the
parade. The Parade Commander will cause the Company and Guard
Commanders to fall in the parade.
NB: It is imperative to highlight that the parade shall be entered from the left
and exited from the right respectively.
When COMPOL is seen approaching the parade, the Commander will give the
command “Guard of Honour, Attention!” Thereafter another command will be
given “Guard of Honour, Shouldered Arms!” When COMPOL arrives at the
saluting base, the parade commander will give the command, “Commissioner’s
Salute, present arms!”
The Parade Commander will then give the commands, “Shouldered Arms!” and
“Ordered Arms!” He will immediately after the completion of the second
movement of the last command advance to meet the COMPOL and ascertain

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 his wishes in regard to the inspection in the following manner before turning to
the right; “Good morning Sir/Madam, Parade is formed up with four companies
and consists of eight guards. There are 133 men on parade all ready for your
inspection Sir/Madam! May you lead and inspect the parade Sir/Madam!”
The Commissioner shall inspect the parade from the right of the parade to left
and shall exit from the right side of the parade with the Parade Commander
marching along with him/her on his/her right side.
Horses shall be groomed. Police Quarters and surroundings will be thoroughly
cleaned, for inspection.

3.2 INSPECTION BY REGIPOL

District inspections by REGIONAL Commissioners shall be carried out at least
once a year after which a report will be submitted to Police Headquarters. If for
any reason inspection of district in accordance with the above instructions is not
carried out, the report shall be made to PHQ.

The REGIPOL’s inspection Parade shall be conducted in a manner in which the

Commissioner’s inspection parade is conducted but they will be complimented
with the “General Salute.”

3.3 INSPECTION BY DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

Station inspections by District Commissioners must be carried out periodically
and at least twice a year after which a report will be submitted to REGIPOL and
subsequently to PHQ. If for any reason inspection of stations in accordance
with the above instructions is not carried out, the report shall be made to PHQ.

3.4 KIT INSPECTION

Kit inspections shall be held at least once a quarter by the officer in charge.
Clothing and equipment shall be laid out. Unserviceable items shall be listed
and replacements requisitioned for.
LMPS (Administration) Regulations 2003 article 21(1) and (2) provides that
any member of the Police Service who is responsible for damage to or loss of
uniform, animals, arms and ammunition, saddlery equipment, vehicle, or other
government property, shall be liable to make good the loss or part thereof to

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the Government except where such damage or loss can be attributed to the
exigencies of the police Service, or circumstances beyond the member’s
control.
Where a police officer’s kit is found to have some deficiencies, he will fill in
the LOSS REPORT Form (GP131) which will be accompanied by the reports
of his supervisors. These will be forwarded to ACP SMSS who will sent them,
with his recommendations for surcharge, to the Accountant General. The
Accountant General will peruse all the documents sent to him and will make a
decision as to the amount of money the police officer will have to pay as
surcharge. LMPS (Administration) Regulations 2003 article 21 (2) provides
that, any amount for which such member is liable may be recovered by
stoppage from his pay.

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LOSS REPORT FORM (GP131)

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3.5 RULES OF INSPECTIONS
Inspections must be thoroughly carried out. Nothing shall prevent conducting of
inspections during weekends and public holidays provided circumstances
permit.
Surprise visits will be made to ensure that crime is receiving proper attention
and the inspecting Police officer will pay attention to the crime reported since
his last visit. He must make thorough inquiry to satisfy himself that every effort
is being made towards its detection and that effective preventive measures have
been taken.
The following instructions are laid down to guide and assist Police officers in
the inspection of Police Stations/Posts:
(a) Parade state will be called for showing the disposition of all ranks on the
first day of the inspection. Only the number of ranks engaged on the various
duties need to be shown,
(b) The police officers will exercise in drill and particular attention should be
paid to squad drill, riot drill and arms drill. At the conclusion of the parade a
kit inspection will be held,
(c) Members will be examined on their knowledge of Police duties and
procedure, law, persons wanted in Police Gazettes, criminals resident in the
station area, and Police Regulations.
(d) The personal characteristics of all members of the station should be studied.
(e) Attention will be paid to the general state of all Police buildings and
conditions of all Police quarters,
(f) The occurrence book will be examined. Two or more entries recorded shall
be selected and the investigations or action that followed them tested.
(g) Police Station records must be inspected and thoroughly examined.
Uniformity in keeping records is essential and shall be strictly insisted upon.
Inspecting Police Officer shall sign and write the date in all station books
and records examined by him. Any book or record not so initialled will be
regarded as not having been inspected.
(h) Particular attention will be given to the investigation of cases and the
methods adopted to detect and combat crime. A careful note is to be made as

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 to whether or not a senior member of the detachment has exercised proper
supervision of the work of his subordinates and has personally visited the
scenes of serious crimes.
(i) Stores shall be checked once a year with inventories. Arms must be
inspected, and the proper care thereof, storage and preservation of
ammunition and other government property on charge of the station
examined,
(j) Regard will be paid to the knowledge possessed by the station staff of the
bridle paths, roads, local inhabitants and any bad characters in the district or
its vicinity,
(k) Government vehicles and cycles shall be inspected thoroughly at every
inspection.
(l) On any inspection, the Inspecting Officer shall check whether shortages,
replacements and new items of equipment have been requisitioned for.
(m) Horses, saddlery and stables shall be inspected.
(n) Inspection reports shall be sent through proper channels to PHQ in
accordance with the following form:

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INSPECTION REPORT
District …………………………………… Station…………………………............
Personnel………………………………………………………………………….....
Drill…………………………………………………………………………………..
Kit & Equipment ........................................................................................................
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
Police Quarters and Surroundings…………………………………………............
……………………………………………………………………………………….
Stables………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………….........
Fodder………………………………………………………………………………..
.....................................................................................................................................
Saddlery…………………………………………………………………………......
Horses…………………………………………………………………………….....
Police Buildings…………………………………………………………………......
Stores & Equipment…………………………………………………………….......
Police Vehicles……………………………………………………………………...
Cycles………………………………………………………………………………..
Radio & Chargers………………………………………………………………........
Security/Classified Documents/Keys/Arms & Ammunition etc ................................
………………………………………………………………………………….……
……………………………………………………………………………….............
Accounts…………………………………………………………………………..…
…………………………………………………………………………………........
Laws of Lesotho (amendments of cross referencing etc) ...........................................
……………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………….........
Emergency Regulations/knowledge of
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
Correspondence Files..…………………………………………………………........
CIB………………………………………………………………………………….
CIS…………………………………………………………………………………...

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The following Police Registers have been inspected and conform with standing
orders:
a) Occurrence Book LMPS 1
b) Report of Crime Investigation LMPS 2
c) Docket Form of Case LMPS 5
d) Lost Stock Register
e) Exhibit Register LMPS 11
f) Register of Found Property LMPS 14
g) Cell Register LMPS 16
h) Prisoners Property Book LMPS 17
i) Police Gazettes
j) Standing Orders
k) Complaints
Report by Inspecting Officer
………………………………………...............................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

Date Stamp ........……………… ……………….........

Signature Rank

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3.6 INSPECTION BOOK
Ammunition utilised for guards, escorts etc, and kept for temporary issue at
Police Stations shall be expended with the loose ammunition and replaced with
the newer rounds.
An Inspection Book shall be kept at every Police Station/Post. Senior Police
Officers conducting inspection shall enter in the inspection book the date and
time of their arrival and departure, and shall supply the Senior Police Officers
concerned with a copy of their inspection report.
Senior Police officers are, however, reminded that when inspecting Police
Stations, they are not expected merely to record criticism but to make notes for
the guidance of the Station in charge. Defects shall be pointed out, explained as
far as possible and remedied on the spot.
The station in charge shall, as soon as possible after inspections, rectify defects
and advise Senior Police Officer inspecting of the action he has taken. Every
visit of Senior Police Officer to a station must be recorded. Visits apart from the
usual thorough inspection will be entered, showing date and time of arrival and
departure and brief notes of actions taken.
No persons other than an inspecting Police officer or Police officer in charge of
Districts are permitted to make any entry in the Inspection Book, nor shall the
book be shown to any person other than a member of the LMPS, unless
authorized thereto by the COMPOL. The Inspection Book must be kept under
lock and key hence it shall never be removed from the station.

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SECTION 4
DUTIES IN POLICE LINES
4.1 BUGLE CALLS/ ALARMS
In case of emergency, the alarm shall be rung to call all police officers to attend
such a call.
A Police Officer shall not intentionally cause an unnecessary disturbance, give
a false alarm, make a false report or spread false rumours prejudicial to the
interests of the LMPS either in Police lines or anywhere else.

4.2 ALARM ORDERS

In case of emergency, the detailed alarm orders shall be compiled by the
Officer in charge of a station. These orders will be communicated and posted in
police station. They shall include precise instruction on places of assembly and
individual and general duties in the event of an alarm. All ranks of each station
will be fully conversant with local alarm order and occasional practices shall be
held by the Officer in charge of the station.
Inspecting Officers will take particular care to see that up-to-date alarm orders
are kept at each station and that all members of the detachment are aware of
their duties in connection therewith.

4.3 POLICE QUARTERS ALLOCATION AND RULES

a) Police Quarters Allocation
All Police Quarters shall be allocated by the District Commissioners in their
respective districts, Human Resource Officer (for PHQ) and Deputy Director
Training (for P.T.C.). In exercising their discretion in the allocation of Police
Quarters, they shall consider the following;
(i) The rank of the applicant,
(ii) The nature or job description of the applicant,
(iii) Whether the applicant has his/her own home in the area to which he is
deployed,
(iv) Availability of Police Quarters,
(v) The applicant does not occupy other Police Quarters in the same area or
another,

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 (vi) No Police Officer occupies a Police Quarters in other area than the one he
is deployed, and
(vii) No person, who is not a member of the Police Service, shall occupy
Police Quarters.
(viii) The financial instability and other social problems encountered with an
individual police officer and somehow about to negatively affect the image
of the organization.
b) Police Quarters Rules
 Each occupant is responsible for the cleanliness and the good order of the
room or quarters he occupies.
 Walls must not be damaged by driving in nails, and pictures will be
confined to subjects of a suitable nature.
 Fatigues shall be carried out to maintain Police Stations, Police Lines
and their surroundings in a clean and orderly condition.
 Repairs to, and maintenance of, police rifle ranges may also be cleaned
out by fatigues, provided no other labour is available.

4.4 HEALTH
(a) Police Officers claiming sick shall report to the Officer in charge as soon
as possible.
(b) Urgent cases such as accidents, etc, will be taken to hospital at any time.
(c) Latrines must be cleaned daily and disinfectant be used.
(d) Care should be taken to ensure that no stagnant water is allowed to
collect in the vicinity of Police Lines and buildings.

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SECTION 5
EVENTS, COMMENDATIONS, MEDALS AND DECORATIONS
5.1 COMMENDATIONS
Police Officers in charge of Stations or Districts shall recommend police
officers under their command, for outstanding zeal, devotion to duty and
aptitude displayed in the performance of specific duties, for commendation by
the COMPOL.
Recommendations must be submitted through DISCOMs to the REGICOMs
who shall forward same to the COMPOL with brief details of the duty
performed. Commendations awarded by the COMPOL shall be reflected in the
Service Order, and entries will then be made in the relevant registers.
For purposes of promotion and increment and the award of the Police Medal for
Long and Loyal Service (PMLLS), one commendation will cancel one
punishment for a disciplinary offence.

5.2 MEDALS AND DECORATIONS

Members of the LMPS are awarded the following medals after satisfying
certain requirements that attract award for a particular medal as the COMPOL
may determine:
a) Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG),
b) Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PMMS),
c) Police Medal for Outstanding Service (PMOS),
d) Police Medal for Faithful Service (PMFS), 10 years,
e) Police Medal for Loyal Service (PMLS), 20 years, and
f) Police Medal for Long and Loyal Service (PMLLS), 30 years
NB: The Police Medals shall be worn in the order as tabulated above.

5.2.1 General Rules

Medals and decorations shall be worn by members of all ranks on all occasions
when full dress or ceremonial order is worn, and also on kit inspections. On
other occasions, ribands shall be worn.

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 When medals and decorations are worn on the breasts the ribands will be one
inch in length, unless the possession of the clasp necessitates it being longer.
When two or more medals and decorations are worn, they will be so arranged
that the lower edges (or lowest point of the star) are in line. The lengths of all
ribands will be regulated by that of the decoration or medal, which, including
any clasps is the longest.

5.2.2 Medals and Ribands

Where a member has more than four ribands, four shall be worn on the bottom
row, the remainder placed centrally above and all in the correct sequence, that
is, in order of seniority.
NB: No medals shall be worn on Police uniform other than those awarded by
the King, the Commissioner of Police and/or by Commander of the Lesotho
Defence Force and Chief Officer of other police force to which the members of
LMPS might have been temporarily attached/seconded.

5.2.3 Guidelines for Medal Awards

The office of the COMPOL has been mandated to award to deserving Police
Officers; Police Medal for Faithful Service and Loyal Service during Police
Day Celebration, while the rest of the medals are awarded during King’s
Birthday by the King.

5.3 QUALITIES OF A RECOMMENDED OFFICER

(a) Police Medal for Gallantry
The deserving officer must have performed a conspicuous (clearly visible)
act of bravery above the normal call of duty.
(b) Police Medal for Meritorious Service
Deserving officers must have performed a meritorious service consistently
over a long period of time of a nature indicating exceptional endeavour
and devotion to duty, above that which can be expected of a police officer.
(c) Police Medal for Outstanding Service
Deserving Officers must have performed outstanding service of a nature
indicating exceptional endeavour and devotion to duty above that which can

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 be expected of a police officer. The outstanding service need not be
rendered over a long period of time. The act must be narrated in details.
(d) Police Medal for Faithful Service
Deserving officers must have ten (10) years of service with a high standard
of discipline and must have no record of disciplinary conviction, corruption
and unacceptable conduct, to mention but just a few.
(e) Police Medal for Long Service
Deserving officers must have attained twenty (20) years of service with a
high standard of discipline and must have no record of disciplinary
conviction, corruption and unacceptable conduct, to mention but just a few.
(f) Police Medal for Long and Loyal Service
Deserving officers must have thirty (30) years of service with a high
standard of discipline and must have no record of disciplinary conviction,
corruption and unacceptable conduct, to mention but just a few.

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5.4 POLICE MEDALS
Specimen for Police Medals in their respective colours is as illustrated below:

FOR GALLANTRY (PMG)

FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE (PMMS) S/O

FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE (PMMS) J/O

FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE (PMOS)

FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE (PMFS)

FOR LOYAL SERVICE (PMLS)

FOR LONG AND LOYAL SERVICE (PMLLS)

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5.5 CATEGORIES OF EVENTS WITHIN THE LESOTHO MOUNTED
POLICE SERVICE
(a) National Events
These are events within the LMPS which are celebrated by members
collectively on the same date or place. During celebration of some of these
National Events full medals are worn by members who have been awarded
with such medals.
(i) Anniversaries: These refer to celebration of members’ dates of first
appointments in the LMPS. The anniversaries are categorized into three
groups which are; the 10th Anniversary, the 20th Anniversary and the 30th
Anniversary, for which Police Medal for Faithful Service, Police Medal
for Long Service and Police Medal for Long and Loyal Service are
awarded respectively.
(ii) King’s Birth Day: Celebration of King’s Birth Day is conducted on the
same day in all ten districts of our country and members of LMPS are
involved in the formation of parades at specified places. Prior to the
King’s Birth Day, the King awards, to deserving members, Police Medal
for Gallantry, Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Police Medal for
Outstanding Service and Police Medal for Long and Loyal Service.
(iii) Moshoeshoe’s Day: On this day every DISPOL in his district ensures
that a parade is formed in which the parade will be inspected by a
Minister or a Deputy Minister.
(iv) Pass-Out Parade: Since there is only one Police Training College,
Passing-out parade will be performed at PTC only whenever Police
Recruits have completed their recruitment training course and are
promoted to the next rank.
(v) Police Day: It is celebrated on last Friday of October every year to mark
the anniversary of the founding of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service
in 1872. During the celebration of Police Day the Commissioner of
Police awards, to the deserving members, Police Medal for Faithful
Service and Police Medal for Long Service. Full Medals are worn.

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 Wreaths are also laid on the Police Monument situated at Ts’ekelo Park
adjoining PTC.

(vi) SARPCCO Women’s Police Network Celebration: SARPCCO

Women’s Police Network is a regional technical organ responsible for
the empowerment and uplifting of women police officers within
SARPCCO member states.

On this day, women police officers from all the districts come together
on a set date to celebrate their success on work plan and deliberate on
the challenges and way forward. This celebration is organised by the
regional members from the three regions. It is here where Miss LMPS
will be chosen from the delegates from all the districts based on different
categories such as uniform and drilling.

(b) Regional/Districts Events

These are events within the LMPS which may be celebrated by members
either at their District or Regional levels:
(i) Christmas Party: Regions/Districts/Units are at liberty to conduct
Christmas Ceremonies in their respective areas at their own time
provided they have acquired prior approval from Dispols or Regipols
and that the police duties will not be compromised. The only Christmas
Party which is held nationally is the Senior Police Officers’ Mess party.
(ii) Sporting Activities: REGIPOLs can, within their regions organize
some sports or one REGIPOL can arrange with another so that police
officers within their regions can attend such sports. The same can be
done by DISPOLs and Heads of Units.
(iii) Tours: Members of LMPS can organize and make study tours and
excursion trips in their respective districts or regions both locally and/or
internationally. These journeys are subject to approval by DISPOLs or
REGIPOLs. Trips outside Lesotho should be authorized by the
Commissioner of Police.

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SECTION 6
ARMS, AMMUNITION AND MUSKETRY REGULATIONS
6.1 ISSUE OF FIREARMS
Rifles and other weapons shall not be issued to individual police officers but will
be stored in the armoury and issued conditionally as the occasion demands. They
will be cleaned, oiled weekly and then will be inspected by a Senior or Subordinate
Police Officer or Station in charge before being returned to armoury.

6.2 ARMS REGISTER

An Arms and Ammunition Register will be maintained at all Stations holding arms
and ammunition. All issues and receipts will be entered in this register which will
be checked and signed monthly by the Officer Commanding the District.

6.3 ARMS CARE AND CUSTODY

Considerable care must be taken to prevent the theft of arms and ammunition by
means of safe storage and careful checking.

It is imperative to note that lending of government arms and ammunition is strictly

forbidden except in circumstances, in which the COMPOL has authorized the
lending or use of arms and ammunition, i.e. to another government department.

6.4 FIREARMS SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Safety measures to be followed seriously while dealing/handling a firearm.

(a) Ensure that the safety catch/pin is always on except when intended to firing or
entering danger zones.
(b) When handling over or receiving the weapon it must first be inspected.
(c) Do not play/fiddle with the weapon.
(d) Keep the muzzle pointed away from other person at all times (muzzle up).
Do not leave the weapon unattended.
(e) Before any weapon is stripped, it must first be made safe.
(f) Always fire at an aimed object/target.
(g) Do not fire at hard object or in the water to avoid ricochet.
(h) Never ask whether the firearm is loaded, check it for yourself with the finger
off the trigger and the firearm pointed towards the safe direction.

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(i) Never force jammed weapon for action.
(j) Always handle every firearm as if is loaded.
(k) Any forms of alcohol or drugs are prohibited during shooting
sessions/practices.
(l) Always store firearm and their ammunitions separately and out of children
reach.
(m) Always keep your trigger finger away from the trigger unless you intent to
fire.
(n) Always unload the weapon immediately after firing, keep it unloaded for
storage.
(o) There must be firearm instructors (at least two) who are in charge during the
training sessions.

6.5 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS OF PUMP ACTION

Safety measures to be considered seriously while handling /dealing with pump-
action musler specifically.
a) Cock open, so that the working parts are at the rear.
b) Push the safety catch from left to right.
c) Inspect the body and the chamber by looking into the ejection opening
d) Close the weapon by pressing Holding Open Device (H.O.D)) and push the
cocking grip forward.
e) Push the safety catch from right to the left.
f) Point the weapon to a safe direction and squeeze the trigger.

6.6 SECURITY AND CUSTODY OF ARMS/AMMUNITION

Safe custody of all arms held at Districts and Police Posts and any other Police
armouries shall be maintained in accordance with LMPS orders which are:
a) Armoury keys shall be kept by the person Commanding the Police
District/Station/Police Post/ or any person appointed.
b) For the purposes of arms safety and security, there shall be police officers who
are on duty 24hours in the areas mentioned above.
c) Police officers shall be issued with arms and ammunition for the purpose of
escorts, Road Traffic Check Points, Road Side Survey or any other police duty.

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d) Police Officer in charge of Stations is responsible to ensure that ammunition
issued is returned or accounted for and the number of rounds taken is recorded
in the relevant registers.
e) It is the paramount duty of the Inspecting Officers to check carefully the
ammunition issued to the Police Station, i.e. full boxes of ammunition shall be
scrutinized to ensure that they have not been tempered with.

6.7 AMMUNITION EXPENDITURE

Officers in charge of the stations shall supervise closely the expenditure of
ammunition and shall ensure that not a single round is unaccounted for.
When musketry courses are undertaken loose ammunition will be expended first.
Afterwards, sealed boxes shall be opened and their contents used in chronological
order of manufacture, i.e. oldest first.
Ammunition utilised for guards, escorts etc, and those that are kept for temporary
issue at Police Stations shall be expended with the loose ammunition and replaced
with the newer rounds.

6.8 AMMUNITION LOSS/MISUSE

a) Police Officers responsible for loss or misuse of ammunition shall be liable for
the value of any ammunition lost or misused unless the deficiency or the
necessity for the expenditure can be reasonably explained or accounted for.
b) The loss of any government property by neglect is an offence under Regulation
23A Regulation 2 (a) of the LMPS (Administration) Amendment Regulations,
2004. In all such cases, in determining the penalty to be imposed, full
consideration must be given to the circumstances of the loss and the degree of
neglect involved.

6.9 AMMUNITION – DISPOSAL OF CONDEMNED AND EMPTY

CARTRIDGES CASES

When authority has been given to destroy or dispose of unserviceable

ammunition, one of the two methods described hereunder shall be adopted;
a) The condemned ammunition shall be thrown into deep permanent water. If
thrown into a lake it must be sunk at a depth where recovery by diving or
dredging is impracticable. The ammunition must be scattered over as wide
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 an area as possible and should be thrown in loose, having been first
removed from boxes, packets and clips;

b) Destruction by fire. A pit should be dug about twelve feet deep and of a
diameter suited to the quantity of ammunition to be destroyed. Suitable
fuel should be laid to cover thickly of the bottom of the pit; the fire must
be fierce and have sufficient material to burn for several hours. To ensure
that the fire lights simultaneously over the whole area, paraffin or other
combustible should be used. When the fire is well alight, the ammunition
should be thrown into it as quickly as possible and will be destroyed by
detonation and burning. Care must be taken to allow no person to approach
the pit during the process of destruction.
At the conclusion of every musketry practice, empty cartridge cases will be
checked with amount of ammunition issued, and may be destroyed.

6.10 AMMUNITION – BLANK AND DUMMY

Before blank ammunition is issued, the pouches/pockets of men shall be examined

carefully by a senior member to ensure that there is no ball ammunition in them.
Blank ammunition will be kept in a separate box clearly labelled and away from
ball ammunition.

6.11 MUSKETRY REGULATIONS

Preliminary Training
It is essential that every Police Officer should be able to use his rifle with a fair
amount of accuracy. Instructions in musketry form an important part of a recruit’s
training, and as such must be continued after Police Officers are passed out and
posted to the stations. Particular attention has to be paid to the care of arms and
frequent instructions to be given in taking aim.

Upkeep of Rifle Ranges

Police rifle ranges will be kept cleared and in proper repair throughout the year.
Inspecting officers shall visit and inspect rifle ranges at each inspection to ensure
that they are being maintained in a proper condition, together with targets and
other materials.

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SECTION 7
ESCORTS, PATROLS AND GENERAL DUTIES
The strength required to escort suspects/accused or convicts shall be determined
by the Officer in charge of the Station. It shall also depend upon whether the
destination can be reached in daylight and the type of suspects/accused or
convicts being escorted.
Before departure from the duty station, all members of an escort shall have
been impressed of the fact that the escape of suspects/accused or convicts as a
result of negligence is regarded as a serious disciplinary offence.
Police Officers on escort must take with them sufficient handcuffs and
shackles, for which they will be responsible to take care of. As a rule suspects
and accused persons charged with serious offences shall be thoroughly
searched and handcuffed, also suspects/accused or convicts known of bad or
dangerous characters and those whose behaviour indicates the necessity for
such restraint.
Persons charged with trivial offences, females, children, old and or injured
persons shall be thoroughly searched and handcuffed at the discretion of Police
Officer on escort. When crossing rivers, handcuffs may be removed unless the
suspects/accused or convicts are particularly violent and dangerous, or the
escort is insufficient.
NB: It is worth mentioning that sobriety shall be maintained by police officers
in escorts since failure to do so constitutes disciplinary offence.

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7.1 TYPES OF ESCORTS AND THEIR RELEVANT TRAINING
Explosives Escort
VIP Protection Escort
Cash in transit Escort

7.2 ESCORTS – FEMALE SUSPECTS/CONVICTS

A female suspects/accused or convicted person shall not be escorted by a male
member alone. The escort shall be augmented by female police officer or other
respectable woman.

7.3 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS (DAY AND NIGHT)

The value of Police patrols as a preventive to crime, particularly offences
against property, cannot be overestimated and it is a primary duty of all
members of stations to organize and maintain preventive patrols throughout
their station areas whenever possible. It is necessary to exercise strict control,
by means of beats and patrols in townships and throughout settled areas. It is
usually the desire of the public particularly those residents in the rural areas
that Police Officers be seen in uniform. In townships and closely settled areas,
comprehensive night patrolling is carried out and must be performed
consistently with the Police staff available.

In other areas where the distances between residences are great, it shall be
constant aim of members of the stations to arrange such patrolling as their
strength may permit and particular attention be paid to roads and paths which
are frequented by day or by night. Close cooperation in night and day vigilance
shall be maintained by stations in checking the movements of undesirable, who
may be eluding the Police in one area and seeking concealment and shelter in
another. Special attention shall be paid to such movements on all means of
transport.
Efficient and frequent patrolling must have the effect of giving a sense of
security to the law- abiding citizens and at the same time a feeling of insecurity
to the actual or potential criminals.

7.4 NIGHT ROUNDS/CHECKING

Police Officers in charge of stations shall ensure that an N.C.O. on duty
performs at least two night rounds in each night between the 2200hrs and 0600

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 hrs. The effort shall be made by all ranks to ensure that night beats are
constantly carried out. Furthermore, all Police Officers who are on duty shall be
alert at all times for the effective and efficient performance of their duties.

7.5 PATROL REPORTS

All detailed or comprehensive patrol reports shall be entered in the Occurrence
Book.

7.6 POLICE DUTIES DURING HOLIDAYS

During Christmas, New Year, Easter and other public holidays there is
additional work for the LMPS; consequently, each member of LMPS bears
extra duties. It is imperative to note that annual and weekend leaves shall not be
generally granted between 15th December and 7th January. However, there is no
reason to restrict arrangements for games and entertainments if circumstances
permit.
Both senior and subordinate Police Officers shall perform extra night
rounds/checks. Laudable and careful instructions shall be given to Police
Officers since there is need for extra vigilance at a time when dwellings and
premises are frequently left unoccupied or unguarded.

7.7 BEATS
A plan clearly depicting each beat in an urban area station shall be posted up in
the Charge Office or Beat Office as the case may be. Police Officers shall be
thoroughly acquainted with each and every beat in the area hence frequent
lectures on duties and responsibilities of beat Police Officer shall be conducted.
Beats shall be continually visited and monitored by N. C. O. in charge of the
beats who shall report to the Charge Office any irregularities that come to his
attention. All visits to beats shall be reflected in the Occurrence Book. Beats
shall be frequently reversed and changed to increase its effectiveness and
efficiency as circumstances may require.
Prior to assumption of beat duties, Police Officers shall parade and be
inspected to ensure amongst others that each one of them is acquainted with the
details of any burglaries, housebreaking, cases of dealing with illicit drugs,
diamonds, trafficking in persons etc, which have occurred in the area since his

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last tour of duty. Once more, he shall be informed of the details of stolen
property and that of wanted persons.

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SECTION 8
CRIME INVESTIGATION
8.1 BASICS OF IDEAL INVESTIGATIONS
The detailed instructions for the investigation of crime laid down in Police
Training Modules will be strictly followed as far as they are relevant in a
particular case hence they shall be observed by all Police Officers. They include
but not limited to the following:
(a) Action at the crime scene,
(b) Photography,
(c) Sketches at the crime scene,
(d) Plans,
(e) Examination of a dead body,
(f) Action after examination of a corpse (body) at the scene of crime.
(g) Finger, palm and footprints,
(h) Foot and other impressions,
(i) Blood stains,
(j) Miscellaneous clues,
(k) Firearms,
(l) Wounds,
(m) Exhibits for analysis and examination,
(n) Motor vehicle accidents,
(o) Police dogs,
(p) Informers,
(q) Interrogation of suspects and treatment of witnesses,
(r) Handwriting,
(s) Notebooks,
(t) Identity cards,
(u) Police and the public,
(v) Dockets, and
(w) Suspect dossiers.
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8.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS COMMANDING POLICE
STATIONS
Officers in command of stations are responsible to ensure that:
(i) Crimes reported are investigated promptly, effectively and efficiently,
(ii) They visit the scenes of serious crimes personally,
(iii) They examine outstanding dockets daily and provide the necessary
guidance to investigators,
(iv) Cases which have not been thoroughly investigated are not sent for
prosecution,
(v) All keen and diligent investigators are accordingly encouraged, while
sensitization is necessary for those whose duty performance is dragging
behind.
(vi) Serious Cases are investigated by subordinate officers and or experienced
and capable Senior Non-Commissioned Officers,
(vii) Dockets and crime registers are properly maintained and well kept,
(viii) Exhibits are adequately inspected and safe-guarded; thus, exhibit rooms
are periodically cleared out, cleaned and disinfected.

The first essential when a serious crime is reported is to get to the scene of
crime as soon as possible.

8.3 STEPS TO BE TAKEN ON ARRIVAL AT THE SCENE OF CRIME

It is mandatory for every police officer to have investigative mind, as opposed
to compassionate mind, when arriving at the scene of crime in order to protect
and diminish chances of contaminating crime scene by anybody who might be
in attendance. As such, the following points must be taken into consideration
when attending scene of crime;
1) All unofficial persons will be excluded.
2) Possession will be taken of the premises or other place where the crime was
committed.
3) A careful inspection of the scene will be made and an accurate description
taken. During the examination all vestiges of the crime will be preserved

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 and care taken that objects are not interfered with until their exact positions
have been noted.
4) Articles with fingerprints on them will be handled with care. Such articles
will not be picked up with bare fingers: Gloves or handkerchiefs will be
used and the article grasped in such a manner that prints are not injured or
destroyed.
5) Articles which may serve as clues in the investigation or as exhibits at the
trial will be taken possession of. Any objects with blood stains or hair upon
them will be carefully preserved.
6) Search will be made for spoors or articles which may afford scent of the
culprit. If a clear footprint is found, peculiarities will be accurately noted
and exact measurements taken. A cast will be made of the spoor.
7) During the examination any theories or a possible solution of the crime will
be considered in relation to the facts observed.
8) Every endeavour will be made to discover a motive for the crime.
9) Whenever possible the scene of the crime and surroundings will be
photographed before anything is disturbed.
10) In cases of homicide it will be ascertained if the body had been moved. If
so and it is conveniently possible the body will be placed in the exact
position in which it was originally found and again photographed.
11) All objects found at the scene of the crime and in the vicinity will be
shown on a plan.
12) Eye-witnesses and persons who may be in a position to give information
will be identified, questioned and their statements taken.

Further investigation can be conducted at the scene crime whereby a

thorough search will be made in the vicinity for objects connected with the
crime. These may be hidden in the most unlikely places such as under the
floors, in the walls or thatch of houses and huts. In cases of poisoning
search will be made for poisons, medicines or drugs and vomited matter.
These will be sealed and carefully guarded until they are despatched to the

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 analyst. Finally before leaving the scene of crime the investigating officer
will check his report and make sure that nothing has been forgotten.

8.4 PLANS IN CRIMINAL CASES

A plan illustrates the evidence of a witness and enables the court to obtain a
mental picture of the scene of the crime. It must therefore convey true
information as it is documentary evidence and the court relies on its
correctness. Plans are to be prepared and submitted at the Preliminary
Examination in all cases committed for trial which involve violence and in
which distances are a factor. This will not include rape cases except where
distance is a factor, e.g. removal from one hut to another, some distance away,
or one village to another.
Plans may be submitted by Subordinate Officers, capable N.C.O.s, but Senior
Officers should prepare and submit plans for all cases of a very serious nature.

8.5 POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS

Save in unavoidable circumstances, LMPS 22 form shall be filled by the police
officer in certain columns making some remarks concerning information and
his suspicions about the death of deceased. Prior to its submission to the
Medical Officer it shall be submitted to District Magistrate who will scrutinize
it and endorse his signature. The Medical Officer shall reflect his findings on
the Report of Post-Mortem Examination Form (H.25), which will constitute
expert evidence as to the cause of the deceased’s death.

8.6 TREATMENT OF ASSAULT CASES

The complainant, whose injuries are subject to the reported criminal case, shall
be issued with the medical form free of charge so that he can consult the
medical officer, but that treatment is given only on payment of the customary
dispensary fee. The findings of medical officer will constitute the report of
injuries sustained by the victim.
On the other hand, when there is evidence that an accused received injuries, he
will be sent by the police for medical evidence which will form part of evidence
to be adduced in court.

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8.7 IDENTIFICATION PARADES
Identification parades, as described by Marais and Van Rooyen (1990:107), can
be seen as the direct personal identification method whereby a number of
persons are paraded, with the purpose of affording the identifying witness the
opportunity to identify the person whom they saw.
An identification parade must be held if, during an investigation into the
alleged commission of an offence;
• a reasonable suspicion arises that a certain person was involved in the
commission of the offence, but there is insufficient evidential material
available that positively identifies the person as one who was involved in
the commission of the offence
• there is a person who may possibly be able to identify the said person during
an identification parade as one who was involved in the commission of the
offence.
Identification parades shall be conducted in the fairest possible manner;
meaning, Police Officers should guard against any irregularities that may
constitute unfair trial or jeopardize trial entirely. It is imperative to highlight
that, the court will have no hesitation in discharging the evidence of
identification, and in the absence of other evidence establishing guilt, finding
the accused not guilty if any such irregularity has occurred.
These instructions are provided for the guidance of all Police Officers of all
ranks in holding an Identification Parade as follows:

a) The investigator of the case shall not take part in the proceedings at an
identification parade,
b) The legal representative of the suspected person shall be allowed to be
present at an identification parade in which he is being identified,
c) A suspect should be informed of the purpose of the parade and be given the
opportunity to obtain a legal representative to be present at the parade. It
was held in S v Mhlakaza en andere 1996 (2) SACR 187 (C) that the
suspects are constitutionally entitled to have their legal representative
present at an identification parade.

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d) A suspect should be informed that the court might draw an adverse
inference from his refusal to take part in a parade. In S v Mphala and
Another 1998 (1) SACR 654 (W) the court ruled that an accused does not
have the right not to participate in an identification parade and that their
constitutional rights are not violated when they are requested to participate
in such a parade.
e) The suspected person or his photograph shall not be shown to a witness
who is called upon to identify him.
f) It is desirable to take photographs of the parade, depicting the persons as
they appeared in the line-up and standing next to each other.
g) Articles of clothing which have been shown to the identifying witness shall
not be worn by the suspected person to be identified,
h) Arrangements shall be made to find at least eight to ten persons, who, as
far as practicable are similar to the suspect in appearance as to;
(i) Age
(ii) Build up
(iii) Colour
(iv) Clothes
(v) Life style and
(vi) Position in life.

i) They shall be paraded and the suspect shall be asked whether he is satisfied
with the arrangements; thus, he shall be invited to take whatever position
in the parade as he pleases and any reasonable request he makes shall be
acceded to.
j) Witnesses should be kept separately under the supervision of a neutral
police official and not be allowed to discuss the case while waiting to be
called.
k) While the parade is being formed, the identifying witnesses shall be kept
out of sight and hearing. They will be sent for by the Police Officer
holding the parade, one at the time, another Police Officer being utilized
for this purpose. The Police Officer holding the parade shall remain with
the parade until the identifying witnesses have been brought in and given
an opportunity to identify the persons arrested;
l) Another neutral police official should escort a witness to the parade.

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 m) Each witness, when brought to the parade shall be instructed to walk up
and down the parade and carefully, taking his own time, to see whether he
can recognize the person concerned. He shall be told if he can recognize
him to indicate by touching him on the shoulder with his hand;
n) The Police Officer in charge of the parade will closely follow the
witnesses, and record in his notebook everything that transpires. A special
note shall be made of the fact that a witness has pointed out the wrong
person;
o) A witness who has left the parade will not be allowed to communicate with
any other witness awaiting admission thereto. After a witness has inspected
the parade, the person arrested will be informed that he is entitled to, and
can change his position on the parade, before another witness is brought in;
p) When conducting identification parade, care shall be taken to further the
interests of justice without undue prejudice to the person arrested. With
this object in view, it may be necessary at times to have the parade remove
headgear, blankets, collars, and ties or jackets where the suspect was seen
by the witnesses without such articles of wearing apparel;
q) The names and addresses of all the persons on the parade shall be recorded
and a list filed in the Police docket;
r) The officer in charge of the parade shall make an Occurrence Book entry of
same as soon as the parade is completed.

8.8 CO-OPERATION WITH SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE

For the purposes of Sections 27, 28 and 30 of the Criminal Procedure and
Evidence Act No. 9 of 1981, members of the South African Police may be
regarded as “private persons.” All arrests by private persons must be on charges
cognizable by the Courts of law in the Country, and the offences alleged must
not only be those scheduled to the Act, but must have been committed in the
Country. Cases of stock theft where “hot pursuit” is involved have a special
aspect if the thief brings the stolen property into Lesotho, since in such cases
the arrested person becomes guilty of an offence against the laws of this
Country, and a private person has a right to arrest him.

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 It must be emphasised that this right of arrest by a private person is strictly
limited. It cannot be exercised by a member of the South African Police Service
except in his capacity as a “private person” and in terms of Section 32 of the
Act, the arrested person must be kept in police custody for a period not
exceeding 48hours, within which he must be brought before a Subordinate
Court having jurisdiction upon a charge of an offence unless a warrant has been
obtained for further detention.

The arrested person, having been informed of the cause of his arrest at the time
of arrest, is also entitled to be released on a bail granted by the Magistrate court
of the same jurisdiction within which the offence occurred.

NB: South African Police officers cannot effect an arrest on their own in
Lesotho unless accompanied by a member of LMPS who will be entirely in
charge of such an arrest.

8.9 HANDWRITING, SIGNATURE, NUMERALS, SYMBOLS AND

QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS
8.9.1 Care of Questioned Documents
a) It is necessary that the document be carefully handled and preserved in
its original condition, so that its value as evidence will not be impaired.
b) Such documents must not be cut or torn, mutilated or touched with an
eraser, forged with a pen or pencil or any other instrument. There shall
be no marks that are made on the disputed document. If it is necessary to
draw attention of the expert to any specific portion of the document, the
particular portion should be described in the Submission Form.
c) It should not be folded in a new place, damped, or used in any other way
which might damage or deface it.
d) Folded documents should be unfolded and kept flat, with a view to
avoiding the necessity of folding or unfolding every time they are
examined.
e) Documents should be handled in such a manner that they will not be
soiled, defaced or covered with finger-marks.
f) Small disputed documents such as cheques, notes and similar papers must
be kept unfolded in suitable envelopes. Larger documents must be

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 pinned to a foolscap size paper on which the necessary reference should
be written. This will also help to prevent excessive and unnecessary
perforation of the questioned documents.
g) (i) When fragile documents are sent to the Questioned Documents
Examination Department –Technical Support Service PHQ (TSS)
for examination by a handwriting expert, they must be packed between
strong cardboard covers (not glass).
(ii) If the documents are of a fragile character and especially if it is to be
handled by attorneys, witnesses and courts in a protracted trial, it is
highly important in every case that it be placed between two pieces of
celluloid or other transparent plastic materials cut slightly larger than the
documents and bound together with a binding tape at one end and a stout
rubber band placed round the opposite end. The method permits
examination of both sides of the paper and when thus protected, a
document will not be damaged and can easily be removed when
necessary by simply removing the band at one end of the glass cover.

8.9.2 Action to be taken

A document suspected of being fraudulent should be subjected to an
immediate and thorough examination.

a) Standards of Comparison
A questioned signature may in fact be so obviously fraudulent that its
comparison with the specimen signature actually appears to be unnecessary
and superfluous. On the other hand, it may be of such a nature that
comparison with specimen signatures or other writing is essential. In the
case of a forgery, where the writing or signature of other person is
simulated, specimens of genuine signatures or writing of the person whose
writing it is supposed to be, must be supplied to enable that expert to
determine to what extent a forger was successful in this object. When
standard writing are collected, it is unnecessary for all the peculiarities of
the persons writing appearing on them to be included in a forensic report,
thus only those contained in the disputed matter are required.

There are three classes of specimen writing namely:-

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(a) “Collected specimens” which consist of writing executed or compiled in
the ordinary course of business or personal affairs; for example –
business letters, reports, applications, invoices, cheques, drafts etc.

(b) “Request specimens” which consist of writing executed at the request and
in the presence of the investigator.
(c) “Acknowledged specimen” which consists of a sample of writing made
during the normal course of business of social activity acknowledged by
its author.
Sufficient statements of these classes suitable for comparison will be
obtained, and in the collection thereof, the following should be taken into
consideration;
(a) The amount of standard writing available,
(b) The similarity of subject letter,
(c) The relative dates of disputed and standard writings,
(d) The conditions under which the questioned and the specimen writing
were executed,
(e) The types of writing instruments and the paper used, and
(f) The type of writing contained in the specimen and questioned writing,
namely: whether manuscripts, capital printed or lowercase printed
writing.
A complete comparison can only be made if an extensive and suitable
specimen material is available. The minimum amount of specimen material
required cannot be fixed by any hard and fast rule, but usually four or five
pages of the writing in the same class as that of the disputed writing should
be sufficient. Because a person’s hand writing under goes a gradual change
in the course of time, as much specimen material as possible must be
obtained which should cover a certain period of time. There are individual
characteristics which are fundamental in handwriting examination. Even
though handwriting can change but some individual characteristics once
fixed do not change.
The types of writing instruments used may affect the suitability of a
specimen for investigation purposes. Certain writing characteristics common
to pen writing may not be clearly revealed in pencil writing. A change of

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style of a pen, e.g. fine instead of a broad point may cause certain variations.
The composition, size, shape and ruling of paper may affect writing to a
large extent.
Therefore, it is desirable that specimen writing executed with a correct
writing instrument on appropriate paper should be obtained. It must be
proved that the specimen writing was executed by the person whose writing
it is purported to be.
When it is necessary to obtain request standards the following precautions
must be taken so that their value is not impaired;
(a) The material must be dictated to the writer,
(b) The text must be carefully selected,
(c) An adequate amount of writing must be included,
(d) The whole of the dictation should be repeated several times,
(e) Writing instruments and paper should be similar to those used in the
preparation of the disputed document,
(f) The dictation should be interrupted at intervals, and
(g) Normal conditions for writing should be arranged.
If it is undesirable that the contents of the disputed documents be made
known to the suspect, the text should contain certain words, phrases, letter
combination and capital letters found in the document. Under no
circumstances should the suspect be given an indication as to spelling of
words or the use of punctuation marks.
The writers’ habits in executing hand printing should not be influenced. The
suspect should first be requested to write in printed characters and complete
the dictation in that manner. In case of printed questioned document, if the
type of letter used in the disputed document is in low case or upper case, a
suspect is to be requested to use the same type of letter used in the disputed
document.
As each specimen is completed it should be removed from the view of the
suspect before continuing with the text. If the disputed writing is continuous
as with a letter, the speed of dictation should be such that the writer writes
continuously, rather than with stops and starts. Different specimens should
be written with different speeds, with some portions dictated at the fastest
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 speed of which the writer is capable. Fast dictation prevents a suspect from
writing only at his best and hinders disguise, but if disguise was made, the
handwriting examiner will reveal it.
Type written, or printed texts must never be laid before the suspects to be
copied as this detracts from its value for comparison purposes and as proof
in court. For the same reason the disputed document must never be laid
before the suspect. A standardized dictation such as “the quick brown fox
jumps over the lazy dog” is useless as text for specimen writing, and should
be avoided. An adequate set of specimen can only be made available by
perseverance and painstaking care.
It is insufficient merely to include enough material to show what the
suspect’s writing looks like. It must be as representative as possible of his
writing habits at different times and under different conditions. The material
to be dictated must be carefully selected, and the re-writing thereof must be
supervised in order to prevent the possibility of disguise. The first two
cheques which may come to hand should not be accepted without more ado,
because the best collection of standards is usually only obtained after
complete and careful search.
Quality of the specimen determines largely the accuracy of the expert’s
ultimate finding. Care and thoroughness on the part of investigation officer
can eliminate faulty and defective standards and may contribute to the
elimination of indefinite conclusions. The original documents must
invariably be forwarded for purposes of investigation and comparison.
Photographic, Photo static and carbon copies often do not clearly reveal
certain characteristic, and hinder the examination to such an extent that a
deficit conclusion is not possible.

8.10 IDENTIFICATION OF TYPEWRITING

The principles underlying the identification of type-writing are the same as
those by which the identity of a person is determined or handwriting is
identified.
Exact specimens of the questioned document, on paper identical with or as
nearly as possible similar, should be made on the suspected typewriter, or a

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number of specimens of typewritten matter which are believed to have been
made by an identical machine to that on which the document under examination
was made should be collected for comparison in cases where the suspected
machine is not available.

A complete study of a typewriting problem can only be carried out when proper
and sufficient specimen typewritten material is made available.
In connection with such problems, the specimens must fulfil exact
requirements. The work of a typewriter is identified by those individualities and
defects which are peculiar to it and a sufficient number of them should be
present before a machine can be positively identified.
The characteristics by which a machine is identified consist of those defects
that consistently appear in its work, as also the variable ones which appear on
and off but necessarily in each specimen. The specimens must not only reveal
the occurrence of definite characteristics or defects, but also the repeated
recurrence thereof and conditions under which they appear.
To gather together a few pieces of typewritten material or to take impressions
of an entire keyboard is quite unsatisfactory. Factors which affect the value of
the specimens and, therefore, require careful consideration, are the amount of
the material, the similarities of the disputed and specimen texts, and relative
dates when the specimen and disputed material was typed, the quality of the
paper and backing material, ribbon condition, cleanliness of typefaces and the
operator’s touch.
Specimen typewriting should be carefully identified, preferably by the
investigating officer who prepares or collects the specimens with the make and
serial number of the machine, the place where it is used and the date on which
prepared. The endorsement must be signed by him.
It must be borne in mind that only original documents, whether handwritten or
typed, can be successfully examined. Photographic, photostatic and carbon
copies often do not clearly reveal certain characteristics, and hinder the
examination to such an extent that a definite conclusion is not possible.

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8.11 SEMINAL STAINS, FIBRES ETC., AT CRIME SCENES
One of the greatest drawbacks to the successful completion of an enquiry into
sexual offences is the lack of corroborative evidence. It is recognized in law
that, because of the nature of such offences, secrecy on the part of the offender
is necessary to their commission. This being the case, the evidence usually
resolves itself into that of the complainant against that of the accused; this often
results in an acquittal.
Most officers know that in offences of this nature seminal stains may be present
on the, and occasionally on the exterior clothing of the victim and the attacker.
When they are found they become confirmatory of the evidence of the
complainant and therefore of good corroborative value.
Such evidence is sometimes overlooked or neglected, perhaps because the
officer is unable to find any staining on the clothing. If such is the case, it is
hoped that the following suggestions may, in future, prove helpful in locating
stained areas of the clothing.

8.11.1 EXAMINATION FOR SEMINAL STAINS

Ammunition utilised for guards, escorts etc, and kept for temporary issue at
Police Stations shall be expended with the loose ammunition and replaced with
the newer rounds.
Always obtain the clothing worn by the complainant and make a careful search
for stains, but before so doing be sure to observe the precautions given in the
section on fibres.
On some kinds of fabrics, seminal stains are sometimes plainly visible, while
on others they can only be observed with difficulty; on few other varieties of
fabric they cannot be found at all except by the use of ultra-violet light.
When examining clothing for seminal stains the best method is to hold the
garment in front of a fairly strong light, which will, in the majority of fabrics,
disclose the stained areas. Go over each garment methodically, taking a small
area upon which to concentrate the light. If stains are present they will show as
a semi-transparency compared with the surrounding fabric. When stains are
located they should be marked around and well outside the area. In the case of

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 white cloth, mark the area with coloured crayon, and on the case of coloured
cloth, use a piece of hard, sharply pointed tailor’s chalk.
If the stains at all can be found and yet from other circumstances connected
with the case it is suspected they must be present, then the fabric should be
examined by means of ultra-violet light at the Criminal Bureau.

8.11.1.1 PRESERVATION OF SEMINAL STAINS

Garments bearing or suspected to bear stains should NOT be creased but left as
FLAT as possible. When stains are found that have dried naturally, keep them
at an even room temperature, where possible, until sent to the analyst for
examination. Should so little time have elapsed after a reported offence that the
stains are found in a damp or sticky condition, do not dry them with heat but
permit them to dry naturally.

8.11.1.2 PACKING OF SEMINAL EXHIBITS

Ammunition utilised for guards, escorts etc, and kept for temporary issue at
Police Stations shall be expended with the loose ammunition and replaced with
the newer rounds.
When forwarding to the expert, garments bearing or suspected to bear seminal
stains, pack the garments in wide boxes so as to keep them as flat as possible, a
layer of very soft tissue paper must be placed between each garment. It would
be as well to pack one garment to a box.
Package for examination should be sent to the Technical Support Services
(TSS) Police Headquarters, Maseru.
Explanatory letters are to be enclosed in each parcel and a duplicate copy sent
under separate registered cover. Names of accused and R.C.I. numbers are to be
typed on parcel covers and on the outside bottom left hand corner of envelopes.

8.11.2 FIBRES
In offences such as murder, bestiality, sexual offences in general, motoring
offences involving fatalities and many others, the identification of fibres plays a
very important part; therefore the observance of the correct details of search,
preservation, packing and transit of such matter is essential.

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 Evidence as to their origin often affords a means of providing connective
evidence of value.

8.11.2.1 PRECAUTIONS WHEN HANDLING FIBRES

All fibrous matter has to be handled with great care and delicacy because while
fibres often firmly attach themselves to another fabric through connection and
pressure, immediately they are removed by anyone without due care and
precaution, being so light, fragile and sometimes so small, the least exhalation
of breath or the least draught from door or window is sufficient to waft them
away and they are lost.

8.11.2.2 FIBRES: MURDER CASES

In cases of murder it is necessary to consider that human hair, flesh and
transposed fibres (animal, vegetable or artificial) may be present on:
a) The clothing of the diseased,
b) The clothing of the offender, and
c) The weapon used in the attack.
Where head wounds are inflicted with an instrument particularly a blunt one,
small particles of human hair or flesh will invariably adhere to the weapon.
Where there has been a struggle between victim and attacker – this can usually
be determined in the preliminary stage of an enquiry-then the exterior clothing
of the victim should be carefully examined and if anything of possible value
observed, then the investigating officer should pack the clothing in the manner
hereafter described.
Where a knife has been used in the attack, which may later be found in the
possession of a suspect, if a clasp knife, then the socket in which the blade
rests when closed should be carefully examined for blood, hair or flesh
particles.

8.11.2.3 FIBRES: CASES INVOLVING THE SEXUAL URGE OR PERVERSION

In case where the sexual urge or perversion has provided the motive for the
major offence, then both the outer and under clothing of both victim and
suspect, or person accused, should be submitted for examination for fibrous
matter as well as for seminal stains, never forgetting the precaution to keep

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 every garment apart, to prevent transference of fibbers’ or substances, and to
pack them in the manner described under packing in 8.10.2.5.
In offences such as bestiality, and in some cases of cattle maiming, animal
fibres are transposed direct from the animal to the clothing of the offender.
GENERAL
In all cases where examination of human hair is to be made, a sample of hair
from the particular part of the body to which comparison is desired should be
forwarded to the expert as a guide to the pigmentation or colour.
The usual precaution regarding females and possible technical assaults upon
accused persons are to be observed and noted.
Should a body be found wrapped or enclosed in any fabric, then the fabric
should be sent to the expert for examination for any fibres upon it which are
foreign to its composition or the composition of the clothing of the victim.
In cases of bestiality, hair or wool, according to the animal concerned, will
always attach themselves to the clothing of the offender. Suspects clothing
should therefore be examined minutely, attention being directed to the front of
the coat, jacket or shirt, the front of the trousers and the crutch and particularly
the exterior and interior of the ‘fly flap’ and adjacent area.
PACKING
Clothing bearing or suspected to bear fibres should be laid out upon a clean
piece of paper (white if possible) covered with another piece of paper, and then
rolled up and placed in a large, strong, clean paper bag, taking care during this
operation that it does not come into contact with one’s own clothing or any
garment. When the whole are packed thus, enclose the paper bag packages
together in a strong cardboard or wooden box. Should fibres become detached
during transit, they will be found in the bag by the expert.
When tests for seminal stains as well as examination for fibres have been made,
then pack each garment as previously described in the section on ‘seminal
stains’ but first lining the whole box and lid with a large sheet of white paper.

8.11.2.4 OFFENCES INVOLVING MOTOR VEHICLES

In many instances of fatalities on the road due to dangerous or negligent
driving, immediately ascertainable facts are usually all that are required to
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identify the culprits. However, there are incidences where the culprits may
decide to escape. A vehicle may be traced which may rightly be suspected of
being the one concerned. In some of these instances a lapse of time has enabled
the owner or driver to make good the signs of the impact.

However, sometimes despite every endeavour of the culprit to cover his tracks,
the discovery of fibres on his vehicle and proof of their origin has provided
sufficient grounds upon which to institute proceedings.
Where a vehicle collides with a pedestrian, or with the body of a cyclist, traces
of matter in the form of fibres from the clothing and /blood and flesh particles
from his body attach themselves to the vehicles at or near the point of impact.
The exterior of mudguards, wheels, bumper, bonnet, lamps, door handles and
hinges should be carefully examined and any fibres, which are obviously not
vegetable debris, should be preserved, (carefully removed, placed in clean
white envelopes upon the outside of which should be noted the date, nature of
contents, where found and by whom. The owner of the vehicle to be invited to
sign on the reverse of the envelope) and these, together with the whole of the
clothing of the victim, submitted for examination.
If blood is also found then, scraping of it should be taken from the vehicle,
placed in a clean test tube or small clean dry bottle, and sent to the analyst as
soon as possible. The area or areas from which the scraping has been taken
should be marked with circle or circles with soft chalk or some other suitable
non-abrasive substance and then that portion of the vehicle photographed.
Flesh fragments are to be treated the same as blood spots.
NB: Where any matter whatsoever is found upon a vehicle and is suspected to
be relevant to the enquiry, always be sure to call the attention of the suspect to
its presence before it is removed. If possible, pack and label these exhibits in
his presence.
All items sent to the experts for examination should, where applicable, be by
registered post. The parcel shall contain a copy of your covering letter and the
original of the covering letter shall be sent under separate registered cover.
Parcels and the packages they contain should all be sealed, marked with the

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 correct address, together with the case CIR number, and names of the accused,
and dispatched as soon as possible.
Examination for/of blood, seminal stains, hair, etc, should be sent to Police
Headquarters. Examination of paint chips, glass fragments, wool and clothing
fibres should also be sent to Police Headquarters Technical Support Service.

8.11.3 BLOODSTAINS
When dealing with bloodstains as a means of evidence, there are some points
with which investigating officers should be familiar.
There are two particular blood tests;
(a) The Precipitin
(b) The Agglutinin or blood group test.
The first test determines whether the blood in a stain is of human (primate)
origin or otherwise, and applied to police work, operates in the following
manner. When a suspect is asked to explain the presence of blood on his
clothing, footwear, he might reply, ‘it is from an animal’. Whenever this occurs,
the investigating officer would then be sure to inform the analyst of the alleged
origin of the stain as given by the suspect or accused, because the information
on that point will materially assist the analyst and later, this precaution may
prove of value at the trial.
The second test (Agglutinin) shows the blood group of the individual. In cases
of murder, where blood has been shed, the officer should always take to the
scene a perfectly clean bottle or corked test tube and request the doctor who is
present to take about one (1) ounce of blood from the femoral artery of the
deceased. The doctor must seal and initial the bottle or tube in some manner so
that he may later identify it.
Should this be overlooked and no blood obtained from the body, preserve some
of the blood-stained garments of the deceased for testing.
To prevent doubt at a later stage always obtain the blood from the body
whenever possible.
Applied to police work, the Agglutinin test operates in the following manner;

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 When blood is found upon the clothing or weapons of a suspect his explanation
may be that it is his own blood from a nose bleed or some such source. The
agglutinin test will show whether the blood is of the same blood group as the
victim- if so then one must look at another aspect of the matter. What is the
actual group of the suspect? A sample of blood cannot be demanded from the
suspect, but he can voluntarily offer to permit a few drops of his blood to be
removed by a doctor for a test to prove his first statement that the blood on his
clothing is his own.

8.11.3.1 BLOODSTAINS ON CLOTHING

SEARCH
In case of homicide and violence, the first thing that the intelligent offender
considers is the removal of all obvious traces of blood. Bloodstains are easily
removed but on occasions, the offender removes from his clothing, footwear
and weapons only those which can be easily seen. The officer should therefore
always carefully and methodically go over all clothing etc, of a suspect. Using
whenever possible, a strong magnifying glass, specks of blood may be
discovered either singly or in groups. Where such are found it becomes
necessary to make and preserve them from becoming detached.
MARKING AND PACKING
To mark the location of specks of blood, mark a circle neatly around them with
a piece of sharply pointed HARD chalk. Leave a clear margin of at least three
(3) from the blood spot or stain.
To preserve them on clothing, insert a piece of strong, stiff cardboard which
should be at least one (1) margin in diameter larger than the area covered by the
specks- under the clothing at the side opposite to them and tie a piece of string
around the cloth beneath the cardboard. The specks should then be mounted, as
it were, on a kind of miniature platform.
Now take a piece of soft white tissue paper. Place this carefully over the top of
the platform. Hold firmly and tie it into place. This is to prevent the blood
specks from being accidentally brushed off.
Mount each area of specks or stains in a similar manner and when packing the
clothing for sending to the analyst be careful to enclose tissue paper to prevent
friction (rubbing) from an adjoining article or with the sides of the box.

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 Whenever possible the box should contain only one article and should be lined
with a larger sheet of clean white paper.

8.11.3.2 BLOODSTAINS ON FOOTWEAR

In all cases of murder, where blood has been freshly splashed about the
footwear of the assailant it will invariably carry traces of it. In many other
offences involving violence the same thing applies.
Usually, the culprit has had the time necessary to clean the stains from his
footwear and may possibly have applied boot polish. In cases of this nature
where other facts throw suspicion on a suspect, always make a careful
inspection of his footwear. The mere fact that bloodstains cannot be found
should not be looked upon as final, because if blood has been present upon the
footwear the blood tests will reveal the fact.
PACKING
Boots or shoes should be carefully wrapped individually, where possible, in
clean white paper and as is the case with clothing, placed in a stout box and so
packed as not to be able to come into contact with each other and prevented
from rubbing on the sides of the box.

8.11.3.3 BLOODSTAINS ON WEAPONS

Weapons found at the scene of crime or in the possession of any suspect and
which are suspected to have been used in the commission of a crime should be
carefully examined for traces of blood. (Also for hairs and fibres).
If blood stains are found upon it, or if it bears stains resembling blood, take the
precaution to prevent it coming into contact with any other article. Bludgeons
with rough surfaces will usually retain traces in the surface cavities.
In the case of a clasp knife, particular attention should be directed to the sides
and bottom of the socket in which the blade rests when closed.
Knives or sharp instruments having fixed blades should be examined for blood
traces at the juncture of the blade and shaft.
PACKING
Always ensure in packing that the weapon does not come into contact with any
other article or rubs on any part of the package.

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 Knives and bludgeons should be packed in a strong cardboard or wooden box
appropriate to the size or length of the weapon. The bottom and size of the box
being lined with one whole large sheet of clean, smooth and, if possible, white
paper. Two large flat corks may be screwed to the bottom of the box, on the
inside, to act as rests for the tip of the blade and the haft of the knife. Two or
three single strands of thin wire or strong twine should then be tied across the
weapon and through the bottom of the box to secure the weapon from all
possible movement in transit.

8.12 EXHIBITS: HUMAN REMAINS

Where it is desired that human remains be examined in criminal cases, they are
sent to the Technical Support Services (Biology Section) for examination.
However where they do not have sufficient resources, they will in turn forward
them to Medical Laboratories in South Africa. In this case authority will have
to be sought from the Commissioner of Police. For expediency purposes,
special arrangements will be made by Director Technical Support Services.

8.13 DETENTION OF WITNESSES UNDER INTERROGATION BY THE POLICE

There is no provision in the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act No 9 of
1981, with the exception of Section 205, referred to below, authorising the
arrest and detention of witnesses or persons who are not reasonably suspected
of having committed any of the offences for which arrest may be made without
warrant. Section 205 which deals with absconding witnesses provides for the
only exception.
In the circumstances, no restriction will be placed on freedom of movement of
witnesses in Criminal cases. They will not be arrested or detained beyond
reasonable period within which a statement may be recorded.
Section 203 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act confers certain powers
on the Courts in cases of default of witnesses in attending and giving evidence,
and this section will be invoked whenever necessary. Any person who is
suspected of being able to give evidence of the commission of an offence who
refuses or fails to furnish the Police with a statement may be dealt with in terms
of this section.
Circumstances may arise where a witness, for reasons of fear of reprisals by the
accused or relatives of the accused, or because of the distance or inaccessibility
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 of his home from the nearest Police Station, may desire to be accommodated by
the Police during the investigation of crime.
In the event of a witness making such a request to the Police, he will be taken
before the District Commissioner. The Police will not accommodate the witness
unless;
(a) The District Commissioner certifies in writing that the request is in his
opinion genuine and warranted, and
(b) The witness signs or places his thumb print upon a written request for Police
protection or accommodation. The request must be attested by two reliable
members of the public and should be filed in Clip “B” of the docket of the
case.
It may be considered that strict observance of these instructions will be place
obstacles in the way of Police investigations in certain cases, but experience in
the past and recently has shown that these obstacles may be overcome to a large
extent by the establishment in serious cases of an “Incident Post” at or near the
scene of crime, manned by Police Investigators, and by investigations in the
field.
It must be appreciated that unless these instructions are strictly adhered to, the
Police will lay themselves open to serious allegations of detention and ill-
treatment of witnesses and criticism. In addition, such detention may be made
use of by Defence Counsel at the subsequent trial of the case, and may result in
adverse comment on Police from the Judge.

8.14 ARREST/DETENTION OF OFFENDERS

Reference must be made to the provisions of Criminal Procedure and
Evidence Act No 9 of 1981 Part V thereof regarding arrests.

8.15 SERIOUS OFFENCES AND UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES REPORTS TO POLICE

HEADQUARTERS.
All unusual and important occurrences will be reported to P.H.Q immediately.
This order refers specially to cases of murder, culpable homicide, serious fatal
accidents, robbery, serious housebreakings and theft and to other occurrences of
a grave or of such a nature that P.H.Q. should be aware of them. These initial

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reports will be followed by detailed reports in writing as soon as possible, and
progress reports will be submitted at monthly intervals.

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SECTION 9
DISCIPLINE

9.1 MAINTENANCE OF DISCIPLINE

The responsibility for the maintenance of good order and discipline and the
observance of the rules and regulations of the Service rests with the Senior
Police Officers, Subordinate and Non –Commissioned Officers and it is their
duty to repress, and if necessary, take disciplinary action following irregularity
or improper behaviour on the part of their subordinates whether on or off duty.

Every member of the Police Service will at all times be respectful in attitude
and demeanour to his superior in rank and will treat officers of inferior rank
with the courtesy to which they are entitled.

The modes of address set out below will be used:

(a) All ranks below the rank of Inspector will be addressed by their rank.
(b) Junior ranks will address all male officers of and above the rank of Inspector
as “Sir.” When an officer is a female, she will be addressed as “Madam.”
(c) Senior Officers will address Senior Officers junior to them as “Mr.” or
“Mrs.” depending on the gender of such an addressee.
(d) Senior Officers will address officers senior to them as “Sir.” Where an
addressee is female she will be addressed as “Madam” or “Morena”, and
should not be addressed as “’M’e/Ntate”.
(e) Retired officers should be addressed as “Retired Officers” e.g. Retired Insp
Kutu.
(f) Resigned and dismissed officers should be referred to as “Mr/Mrs” or
“Former” as the case may be e.g. Mr Kutu, a former member of LMPS.
All Police Officers must at all times, both on and off duty, maintain a standard
of personal conduct befitting their position. This imposes upon them certain
restrictions which do not exist in ordinary employment or in other branches of
the public service.

9.2 TREATMENT AND SUPERVISION OF SUBORDINATES

Senior Police Officers will adopt towards their subordinates such methods of
command and treatment as will always ensure respect for authority.

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 All members above the rank of Police Constable should realize that one of their
first and most important responsibilities is to watch the welfare and
contentment of the men under their charge and to be ready to give them advice
on all occasions. It is essential that all officers who have men under their
control pay special attention to this aspect of their duties, and should give
careful and sympathetic consideration to any matters relating to welfare or
efficiency (individual or collective) which may be put before them, either
verbally or in writing.
It should be the duty of Senior Police Officers to be readily accessible to the
men under their control.

9.3 OBEDIENCE TO ORDERS

A strict system of obedience to orders must be enforced throughout all ranks of
the Service. No Police Officer may reply to a Superior when reprimanded, nor
dispute the propriety or justice of any order given. Should he have a complaint;
he must prefer it in writing through the normal channels. Police officers
preferring complaints must understand that a false or frivolous accusation or
statement is punishable.
A police officer giving an order is responsible for its consequences, unless the
method of carrying it out has been improper, negligent or contrary to the
instructions received.

9.4 ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS BY POLICE

A member of police who has any complaint to make should address himself, in
writing, to his immediate supervisor and ask to be brought before the Officer in
charge of his Station. If after receiving the decision of this officer he is not
satisfied with that decision, he may put the complaint in writing and submit it to
the Officer Commanding District. If after receiving the decision of the Officer
Commanding the District the subordinate is still dissatisfied, he may request
that his complaint be submitted to the Commissioner of Police.
Every officer is bound to forward any complaint so made, provided that the
complaint is couched in proper language. Complaints by subordinates must be
forwarded to P.H.Q. in duplicate and must be accompanied by full reports from
the Officer in charge of a station, and Officer Commanding District, which

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 should contain their recommendations, and reference to any order, regulations,
or sections of law applicable to the complaint.
Every member has the right to approach any Inspecting Officer when he visits
his station or detachment, so that he may make his complaint verbally instead
of in writing.
Letters of an anonymous or pseudonymous nature addressed by members of the
Service to a Senior Officer will be entirely ignored and no action will be taken
to inquire concerning real or supposed grievance therein expressed. Every
member of the Service should be aware of the correct manner in which he is
entitled to bring to the notice of a Senior Police Officer, or to the Commissioner
himself, any matter which is a proper subject of complaint.
A member desiring an interview with the Officer Commanding the District or
with the Commissioner shall submit his application for such interview, through
his officer in charge, stating briefly the object of the interview. Any such
application will be forwarded by the officer in charge. Provided that when a
member desires an interview in connection with a matter which affects him as
an individual and is of a purely private and personal character, details of the
object of the interview need not be stated.

9.5 COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE

All complaints, except anonymous complaints against the Police must be made
the subject of careful inquiry.
Promptness in investigating complaints is of great importance. Delay may not
only aggravate the complainant but give an opportunity for conclusion or
suppression of evidence. Letters making complaints should be acknowledged
immediately.
When the complaint is against a member whose name or number cannot be
given, arrangements must be made for the complainant to have an opportunity
to identify him through an identification parade.
The complainant must, invariably, be informed of the inquiring officers finding
and the result of the inquiry without necessarily indicating the disciplinary
action that has been taken. Where a fault or offence by a member is disclosed,

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 steps must be taken to rectify, when necessary, the act or omission complained
of, and suitable apologies will be made to the complainant.
Members appearing to answer complaints against them should remember that a
quiet and courteous demeanour will always assist them even when the
complaint is felt to be unjustified, an aggressive tone in meeting it will, besides
increasing the complainant’s prejudice, render the task of the inquiring officer
much more difficult.
The investigation of complaints preferred against the police by private persons
is a matter of great importance, and often of considerable difficulty.
The authority exercised by the Police Service and its good name, must depend
largely on the confidence felt by the public that a complaint made against a
member will always receive full and unprejudiced hearing, and that if
substantial, redress will follow. At the same time, members must be protected
against vexations or malicious accusations to which their duties must at all
time make them liable.

9.6 CRIMINAL OFFENCES BY MEMBERS

In every case where a member is accused of the commission of an offence
under the Criminal Law of the country or when the commission of a criminal
offence is disclosed as the result of an inquiry into a complaint by a member of
the public, and a prima facie case is made out against him, the member so
accused will be charged accordingly before the court of law. The
Commissioner of Police shall be informed of every step regarding the case
against such a member.
It must, however, be realized that members of the police Service are, from the
nature of their duties and of their relations with the public, peculiarly exposed
to the risk of false and vindictive accusations of criminal misconduct in the
execution of their duty, while the circumstances of such false charges are
frequently of a nature that a Police Officer finds it difficult or even impossible
to disprove. It is therefore, incumbent upon Officers Commanding Districts or
in charge of stations to ensure that accusations of this nature are investigated
with at least the same degree of thoroughness as would be devoted to similar
charges against members of the public.

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Officers Commanding Districts and Officers in charge of the stations must
investigate charges against officers under their command and not leave the
matter for court to decide.
NB: Officers Commanding Districts or Stations must first seek an explanation
from the member against whom the complaint has been lodged by a member of
the public, before even confronting the opposite sides, or reaching the
conclusion as to what might have happened, thus accommodate utmost
understanding of the matter in issue before laying settlement, beneficiary to
both parties. Thus Audi ulteram paterm shall always be the guiding principle
in handling allegations against the police.
A member cannot be expected to carry out duties loyally and conscientiously if
he is allowed to feel that in the event of a charge being made against him, he
will not receive the support of his officers but will be required to defend
himself unaided against false and disgraceful allegations the consequences of
which might even be severe punishment of an offence of which he is innocent.
It must, in consequence, be clearly understood that every complaint alleging
the commission by a member of the organization of a criminal offence shall in
the first instance, be the subject of thorough inquiry as to the truth of the
charge. Such inquiry should be conducted by the member in charge of the
station and the police officer accused should not be charged before a magistrate
until it has been ascertained that allegations are based on the fact and are
substantiated.
In all instances where a member is accused of a criminal offence and, after due
inquiry, a prima facie case is established against him, a full report will be
submitted to PHQ showing the date and place of trial and the method adopted
to secure his appearance before the magistrate. This will be followed after the
completion of the case, by a report giving the result of the trial and enclosing a
copy of the case record.
Where judicial proceedings are instituted against a member of police in
consequence of action taken by him in the proper performance of his duty as a
police officer, a report must be transmitted at the earliest possible moment to
the Commissioner, setting out the origin and full details of the case, to enable

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 arrangements to be made for the provision, if necessary, of legal defence for
the police officer concerned.
Where a member of police is alleged to have committed a crime, the directives
to prosecute must be sought from the office of the Director of Public
Prosecutions (DPP).

9.7 BREACH OF DISCIPLINE AND PUNISHMENT

Instructions in regard to disciplinary offences, punishments and matters relating
thereto are contained in the Lesotho Mounted Police Service Act No. 7 of 1998,
Lesotho Mounted Police Service (Administration) Regulations 2003 and
Regulations 2004.
NB: All information relating to the disciplinary action taken against the police
officer must be reflected in the Disciplinary Register (LMPS 125).
The minor misconducts by Police shall be entered in the District/Station
Defaulters Register Book which shall be maintained under the following
heading:

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DEFAULTERS REGISTER FORM

The under-named police officer;

No. ………………… Rank……………………… Name:……………………………………………………… was summoned

before No……………………. Rank………………………… Name:……………………………… …………………… a Duty

Officer /Supervisor at ….………………………………………………………… on the (date)…………..…………………

at (time) ………………….. hrs and reprimanded for………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Remarks by Reprimanding Officer:………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Signature of Reprimanded officer:..……………………………………………… Date:……………………………………

Witness: No. ………………… Rank……………………… Name:…………………………………………………………………

Signature of Witness:..…………………………………………………………………. Date:……………………………………

Signature of Reprimanding Officer:………………………………………………. Date:……………………………………

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Punishment will be limited to administration, extra guards, extra duty, drill or
fatigues and will appear in no record than the District Defaulters Book, and
will not be subject to review by the Commissioner of Police.
It is not practicable to lay down any definite scale of punishments that should
be awarded for various misconducts, as the severity or otherwise of the
punishment must depend entirely upon the circumstances in which the
misconduct was committed and the gravity of the misconduct itself. As a great
deal of discretion is therefore entirely left to officers empowered to impose
punishments. They must exercise their powers of punishment with the greatest
care and deliberation.
In considering the punishment to be inflicted, a Duty Officer /Supervisor should
give consideration to the defaulter’s record, but should not increase the amount
of punishment to be inflicted by reason only of previous misconducts. The
defaulter may possibly have three or more entries in his Service Register but
these may have been spread over a number of years, and do not justify an
increased punishment in any subsequent charge under the discipline
regulations. A Duty Officer /Supervisor should also take into consideration the
effect the punishment might have on the award of the Long Service and Good
Conduct Medal.
Should a member other than a Senior Officer be guilty of an offence against
discipline, which is not of trivial nature, he will be charged and punished
according to the provisions of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service Act No.7
1998, Part V thereof.
Members who have been punished for any misconduct should always be made
to understand that the effect of such punishment can be redeemed, so that it will
not interfere with their subsequent career in the organization by good and
diligent work accompanied by satisfactory conduct.
Breaches of discipline under the Police Service Act No.7 of 1998, Part V
thereof, punishments of which are subject to confirmation or variation by the
Commissioner of Police will be tried, evidence recorded and the record sent to
Assistant Commissioner of Police Strategic Management Support Services
(ACP SMSS) who will in turn forward it to Assistant Commissioner of Police
Inspectorate, Complaints and Discipline (ACP I, C & D), who will peruse the

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 record and ascertain whether proper procedure had been followed and pass it to
the Commissioner of Police.
On receipt of the recommendations of the senior officer or the Board, the
Commissioner may accept, vary or reject the recommendations and shall inform
the police officer concerned of his decision and of any punishment he imposes.
These punishments will be published in the service order and entered in his
personal file and service register.

9.8 RECRUITS
Recruits undergoing police training at Police Training College (PTC) will be
disciplined in the normal way and where necessary suitable punishments
awarded.
However, where the recruits have committed serious misconducts Part V of
Police Service Act No. 7 of 1998, Lesotho Mounted Police Service
(Administration) Regulations 2003 and Regulations 2004 shall be invoked.
NB: Record of disciplinary punishment will be recorded in the recruit’s
personal file when he is promoted to the rank of Police Constable.

9.9 DESERTIONS
When a member is known to have been absent without leave for a period of
continuous twenty-one days, he will be considered a deserter.
All absenteeism, after efforts have been made in vain to find a concerned police
officer, must be reported to PHQ. A copy of the particulars of such police
officer will be forwarded to the ACP SMSS for publication in the Police
Service Order/Police Newspaper, (Leseli ka Sepolesa). Every possible effort
must be made to trace and find the whereabouts of disappeared Police Officer
and all correspondence documents be filed in his personal file.
The following procedure must be followed before declaring him a deserter:
a) The District Commissioner where the police officer is working must detail
a patrol to go and search the said officer in his last known address or
premises, relatives, his chief etc and statements must be obtained from all
consulted individuals then sent to PHQ.

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 b) If not found, then PHQ will publicize the disappeared police officer over
the local media houses.
c) If such police officer is still not traceable for a continuous period of more
than twenty-one days, then the District Commissioner must submit a
written report with recommendations to the office of Commissioner of
Police, which will be filed in his personal file indicating that all the
procedures were followed to trace the disappeared police officer.
d) The Commissioner of Police will then declare such Police Officer a
deserter and cause him to be publicised as such in the Police Service
Order.
The Commissioner of Police may, at any time, after giving the police officer
concerned an opportunity to make representations, dismiss an officer who is
absent from duty without prior permission for a continuous period of more than
twenty-one days.
However, the search will continue due to Section 25(1) (d) of Criminal
Procedure and Evidence Act No. 9 of 1981 which provides as follows;
A peace officer may without any order or warrant, arrest any person
reasonably suspected of being a deserter from His Majesty’s Naval, Military or
Air forces or from Lesotho Mounted Police Service.
Police Service Act No.7 of 1998 Section 56(2)(c) provides that any police
officer who deserts, or permits others to desert, shall be guilty of an offence and
shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
Police officers who do not return from leave when due will not be treated as
deserters in the first instance. When a police officer is one week overdue
inquiries will be made from the administrative officer or police nearest to the
place where his leave is being spent. If such enquiries do not disclose his
whereabouts or the reasons for his absence within twenty-one days, he will be
treated as a deserter and the procedure laid above will be carried out.
When the name of the absentee appears in Police Service Order as a deserter
and is struck off from the payroll and the strength of the Service, his service
register and personal file will be forwarded to PHQ and all items such as Police
ID, uniform, and firearms given to him while still a member of the Police

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 Service and/or acquired by him by virtue of being a police officer, be taken to
the police stores and armoury. Instructions will then be given as to the disposal
of his private effects.
NB: All dismissed police officers shall be publicised over the local media
houses for the general knowledge of the public at large.

9.10 COMMUNICATION WITH THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

Members of the organization including civilian staff are forbidden from
communicating information to newspapers, radio stations, and television or to
persons unconnected with the police, on matters connected to the police or the
Government of Lesotho nor are they to express through the press their personal
views on such matters. They are forbidden to act as correspondents or agents
for any newspaper.
NB: The duty to communicate to the media regarding matters affecting the
police rests with the office of the Public Relations Officer (PRO). However,
District Commissioners having informed the PRO, may communicate with the
media on matters affecting their policing jurisdiction only.
If an inadequate, false or exaggerated report on any matter concerning the
police or government is published in the press, Districts Commissioners under
whose jurisdiction such report has been published must as soon as an issue
comes to their knowledge, submit a report containing the true facts to the office
of the Commissioner of Police.
Police officers attending public or other meetings are not permitted to discuss
matters affecting police or government policy, administration or other matters
concerning the organization or government as a whole without specific
instructions from the office of Commissioner of Police.
The particulars of persons wanted by the police for major crimes will be sent to
the ACP CIDfor publication in local media houses. However, warrants of arrest
must have been obtained before publication.
Such notices will be properly worded and will avoid phrasing which suggests
that a wanted person is guilty of an offence before he has been convicted in the
court of law.

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 Such notices, as “Lehlohonolo Scott’’ is suspected by the police at Maseru
Urban of having murdered two people’’ will not be used; instead, the notice
will be worded on the following lines:
“Two people were murdered at Koalabata, the first one on the 12th January
2012 and the second one on the 20th July 2012. The Police are anxious to trace
the whereabouts of one Lehlohonolo Scott who disappeared from Maximum
Prison at Maseru where he was kept after the murder. His description is as
follows………………………………… Any person who can give any information
in the matter should report as soon as possible to the nearest Police Station’’.

Where a warrant of arrest has been issued or a reward authorized, this should be
stated.

9.11 PRESS IDENTITY CARDS

Press identity cards are issued to accredited press representatives. The Cards
will be as shown below:

PHOTO

The information which can be given by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)

and above is restricted to factual information and care must be exercised not to
give information which may prejudice police investigations on accused persons.
Information of political nature or an opinion must on no account be given.

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The right of the holder to remain in an area under police control does not absolve
the holder from complying with reasonable police instructions and such authority
will be withdrawn by the senior police officer present if such instructions are not
obeyed.

9.12 RELATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC

All persons are to be treated with the utmost civility, forbearance and good temper.
A police officer must not allow himself to be moved or excited by abusive or
insulting language or threats; by remaining calm himself he will be the best able to
deal satisfactorily with an angry or aggrieved person - idle or foolish remarks are
unworthy of notice and should be disregarded.
Forbearance, civility and readiness to assist will always be appreciated by the
public and Magistrates.
Police must avoid arguments, gossiping and unnecessary conversation with the
public, but if questioned by any person should readily give all proper information.
An officer when asked for his name and number should comply without hesitation.
Unnecessary interference with the public should be avoided.
It is desirable that a third person, preferably another member, be present at
interviews given by the police to individuals who may be considered at all likely to
give, either deliberately or through misconstruction, an incorrect account of what
transpired, or the points arrived at during the course of such interviews.
If a mistake is made by a member, it should be admitted, and, as far as possible,
rectified without delay.

9.13 POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF POLICE OFFICERS

In view of the fundamental necessity for maintaining the political impartiality
of the police service, so that the organization may enjoy the confidence of the
public, an officer may exercise his right to vote but he may not;
(a) Be an active member of any political party or association;
(b) Speak in public on any political matter except in the course of his duty;
(c) Publish his views on political matters in writing;
(d) Take an active part in the support of any candidate in an election.
(e) Hold office in any local government body except “ex officio’’;

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 (f) Do anything by word or deed which is calculated to further the interest of
any political party or association.
Note: Section 66(1) of the Police Service Act No. 7 of 1998 prohibits police
officers from being members of, or being affiliated to any political party, or any
organisation, club, association or group of political nature.

9.14 MEMBERSHIP BY POLICE OF ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS

Members are not permitted to become members of trade unions, clubs,
associations or societies other than those existing for purposes of recreation,
sport, science, education, or for social interaction. In the event of uncertainty as
to the precise object of a club, association or society of which membership is
desired, the question must be referred to PHQ.
Section 66(3) and (4) of the Police Service Act No.7 of 1998 provides that
police officers can be members of any body approved by the Police Authority
for the purposes of the Act to represent police officers and the Police Authority
may prescribe rules for the conduct and proceedings of a body approved by
him.

9.14 POLICE CONFERENCES

Conference attended by all Senior Officers will be held annually, or as often as
the Commissioner of Police may direct, to discuss matters affecting the police
service.

9.15 PECUNIARY EMBARRASSMENT

Members who borrow or attempt to borrow money from a subordinate render
themselves liable to punishment and members who lend money to a superior in
rank are also liable to punishment. Members who fail or are unable to discharge
their debts commit a breach of discipline. Serious pecuniary embarrassment in
itself is regarded as impairing the efficiency of a member and rendering his
services of less value than they would otherwise be.

9.16 TRADING BY POLICE

No member of police, except with the consent of the Commissioner of Police,
shall engage in any paid employment or business whatsoever other than in
accordance with his duties under the Police Service Act No. 7 of 1998.

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9.17 SECRECY
All information received by a member in his official capacity must be treated as
secret. All ranks are forbidden to discuss, save with other members of the
organization officially concerned therewith, any matter of information, whether
confidential or otherwise, that has come to their knowledge in the course of
police duty. Particulars of, or matters relating to, police cases or inquiries, past
or present, or to persons connected with such, must be regarded always as
confidential and will neither be divulged nor discussed save as necessary in the
course of Police duty. Section 27 of Police Service Act No.7 of 1998 is
instructive in this regard.
Gossiping to members of the public concerning matters of police duty or of the
public service generally must be avoided. Idle rumours or criticisms, personal
or otherwise, are readily exaggerated or twisted into asserted facts which, being
passed from person to person, may result in great harm to individuals or may
even hinder the proper administration of justice.

9.18 ABSENCE OF OFFICERS FROM THEIR COMMAND

No officer may be absent from their territory without permission. The authority
of the Commissioner of Police is required by REGIPOLS, Director Training
and Assistant Commissioners of Police. These officers may authorize the
absence of officers under their command but such authority must be reported
immediately to the Commissioner of Police.

9.19 INTERDICTION
Interdiction of any member of the Police Service by the Commissioner of
Police is governed by section 53 of the Police Service Act No.7 of 1998.

The following procedure must be followed in order for a police officer to be

interdicted:
a) A letter of representation shall be written and served to the concerned
police officer requiring him to show cause, if any, why he cannot be
interdicted from police duties. In addition to this, the letter will outline full
particulars of a misconduct the concerned police officer is alleged to have
breached.

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 b) Upon receipt of the letter by the concerned police officer, he will be
expected to respond within the time stipulated in the letter of
representation.
c) After receiving the police officer’s response, the Commissioner of police
will decide whether to interdict him or not and the decision will be
communicated to the concerned police officer.
d) Where the concerned police officer decides not to respond after the
stipulated time, nothing will prohibit the Commissioner of Police from
making his decision as above.
e) Where the decision is to proceed with the interdiction, a letter of
interdiction will be written to the concerned police officer and will contain
the following information:
(i) The effective date for interdiction,
(ii) Conditions of interdiction such as; that he shall receive full payment
of his salary during his interdiction, he will cease to draw
allowances, and the expected behaviour while on interdiction.
(iii) The instruction to return police uniform to PHQ store.
It is equally important that the office of the Commissioner of Police be advised
promptly of the outcome of disciplinary or criminal proceedings so that the
interdiction can be lifted or other appropriate action taken.

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SECTION 10
TRAINING AND EXAMINATION

10.1 DRILL
The importance of drill as a means of alertness to take instructions, uniformity
or togetherness, instilling of discipline, obedience to orders and self-control
cannot be too fully emphasized. Senior Police Officers, Police Officers in
charge of the stations and instructors shall model their drill standards on the
Drill Manual.
Parade commanders must be conversant with the drill commands. Such
commands must be loud and clear enough to convey message. A word of
command is divided into three parts; Introductory, Cautionary which must be
prolonged and the Executive which must be high pitched, sharp and short.
The command must also be in four (4) pulse measure.

10.2 TRAINING
The training of the Police Service is regarded as falling into the following
classes:-
(i) Recruits training
(ii) Refresher training for Police Constables
(iii) Supervision training
(iv) Middle management training
(v) Command training
(vi) Advanced and specialized training.
It must not be thought that when a Police Officer ceases to be a recruit that
his/her training ends. No opportunity shall be lost of giving instruction to all
trained police officers on their duties and on the various laws with which they
have to be familiar, and every trained Police Officer is expected, as part of his
daily duty, to impart practical knowledge and instruction to his subordinates,
and when opportunities arise during the performance of routine work.
In addition to individual instruction which will be given as above, a systematic
course of training in accordance with a series of lectures, which will be
prepared by the Director Training at Police Training College, will be followed
by parades and instruction classes.
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 The programme prepared by the Director Training shall provide for uniform
progressive training in all aspects of Police duty and shall include sustained
instruction on the subject of the relations between the Police and the Public.
These lectures shall be supplemented on stations by instruction on matters of
purely current interest or local application such as explanations of important
notices in Police Service Orders or the supply of information about recidivists
who are known to operate in the area, and on any other matter upon which, in
the opinion of the Officer in charge, additional instruction is necessary, and by
answering questions asked by members of the instruction class.
A Lecture Book shall be kept at all stations in which shall be recorded brief
details of classes held and the subjects upon which lectures were given, together
with full particulars of supplementary instruction.
Every advantage will be taken of opportunities for imparting up to date
information about known criminals operating in the station area.
Whenever possible, arrangements will be made by the officer in charge for
additional classes to be held to improve the standards of education of the
Police, Police Officers shall be encouraged to study at their own time.

10.3 LECTURE AND INSTRUCTION BOOK

Officers in charge of stations will record the following in the book each month:
a) Special subjects or points which have been noted for instruction;
b) Details of lectures given, the subjects covered and by whom given,
c) Drill Parades, type of drill and number attending.

All available men will be lectured at least two hours a week.

10.4 PARADES AND INSTRUCTIONS

At least one drilling parade and two lectures, each of thirty to forty-five minutes
duration shall be held at every station each month. A programme shall be drawn
up and posted on notice board for the information of all Police officers. A
record of all parades and lectures shall be kept in the lecture book. A reasonable
amount of Physical Training (PT) shall be included in the programme.

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 All available Police, including Detectives employed on plain clothes duty, shall
attend lectures, drilling parade and physical training.

10.5 BATONS/ TONFA USE

Batons/Tonfas are issued to members in order to protect themselves against
violent attacks. They should be used only in extreme cases or when Police are
being over- powered, to prevent the escape of a suspect or to assist the weak or
injured. Arms and legs of attackers shall be aimed at in the first instance.

10.6 WHISTLE CALLS

The whistle calls authorized for use throughout the Police Service, other than in
riot actions must form the subject of frequent instruction and all Police Officers
of every rank must be fully conversant with them. The authorized whistle calls
are as follows:-
a) One long blast – “coming”
b) One short and one long blast, repeated indefinitely – “alarm”.

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SECTION 11
PERSONNEL
11.1 ENLISTMENTS OF RECRUITS
Enlistment of persons in the Police Service shall be in accordance with the
LMPS Recruitment Policy.

11.2 RE-ENGAGEMENTS
Every member of the Police Service on probation shall, after two years’
satisfactory service, be confirmed as permanent and pensionable provided he
has been declared fit and proper to carry out police duties by the Medical
Practitioner at the government hospital.
According to LMPS (Administration) Regulations 2003 Regulation 5, where in
the opinion of the Commissioner, the said period was seriously interrupted by a
period of absence from duty by reason of illness or injury, the Commissioner
may at his discretion extend the period of probation for such longer period not
exceeding 12 months as he determines in the circumstances of that particular
case.
The District Commissioner shall therefore ensure that the re-engagement form
is duly completed and forwarded to REGIPOL who then forwards it to
COMPOL together with his recommendations for approval for confirmation or
termination of appointment in terms of section 31(1)(a) of the Police Service
Act No.7 of 1998.

11.3 AWARDS TO RECRUITS ON THEIR PASSING OUT

11.3.1 Discipline Award
 Punctuality
 Dress
 Neatness
 Displays Customer care Qualities
 Good conduct/attitude towards superiors or fellow colleagues

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11.3.2 Best Performance in Drill Award
 Precise in executing drill commands
 Drills with passion
 Sharp but graceful movements
 Displays best drill posture

11.3.3 Best Academic Performance Award

 Candidate who has scored the highest marks in academic tests and
examination
11.3.4 Leadership Award
 Ability to guide
 Ability to delegate
 Communication skills
 Initiative

11.3.5 Best Horse Rider Award

 Best posture on the horse
 Rides with passion
 Creates rapport with the horse
 Displays partnership with a horse

11.3.6 Enthusiasm Award

 Dedication to duty
 Goes beyond the call of duty
 Self-motivated

11.3.7 Best marksman Award

 Candidates who applied principles and portrayed best shooting skills
 Ability to aim and shoot at the given target

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11.3.8 Best Stick
On the passing out of the recruit squad the best all-round recruit shall be
awarded with a “best stick”. This award is based on examination results,
turnout, and discipline. This stick may be carried at all times when a whip-stick
is normally carried.

11.4 TRANSFER
All members of the LMPS are subject to transfer according to the exigencies of
duty and LMPS transfer shall be made in line with LMPS Transfer Policy.

11.4.1 Report of Transfer

Upon the transfer of a police officer, the LMPS Confidential Report Form
(LMPS 35C), will be completed by the immediate supervisor of the transferee
and there will be remarks of the Countersigning Officer.

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LMPS 35C
LESOTHO MOUNTED POLICE SERVICE CONFIDENTIAL REPORT FORM
ON TRANSFER
POLICE STATION/POST/UNIT: ……………….. BRANCH...………………………………….
NO: …………. RANK …………… NAME ……………………………………………………...
PERIOD OF SERVICE UNDER MY COMMAND ………………………………………………
NATURE OF DUTIES …………………………………………………………………………….
RELIABILITY ……………………………………………………………………………………..
DISCIPLINE AND GENERAL CONDUCT………………………………………………………
QUALIFICATIONS ……………………………………………………………………………….
GENERAL EFFICIENCY …………………………………………………………………………
SPECIAL APTITUDE …………………………………………………………………………......
IS HE/SHE OF TEMPERATION HABITS ……………………………………………………….
GENERAL REMARKS …………………………………………………………………………...

…………………………..
SIGNATURE OF REPORTING OFFICER

REMARKS BY COUNTER-SIGNING OFFICER

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
DATE…………………… SIGNATURE………………………………………………………….

NB:
TO BE RENDERED IN DUPLICATE. ONE COPY FOR ORIGINAL RECORD OF SERVICE
AT POLICE HEADQUATERS, OTHER COPY FOR DUPLICATE RECORD AT
DIVISION/DISTRICT HEADQUATERS.

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11.5 TRAVELS BY AIR
All members of the Police Service are required, when necessary to travel by air.

11.6 ILLNESS
Whenever a Senior Police Officer or District Commissioner is off duty on
account of illness for a period in excess of twenty four hours, PHQ must be
notified.
Any member reporting himself sick to a medical practitioner and having been
issued sick leave shall present such sick leave to his immediate supervisor who
will communicate it to his superiors. The District Commissioner shall inform
PHQ (Human Resource Officer) of any such leave granted to the member.
LMPS (Administration) Regulations 2003 regulation 10 provides that any
member of the Police Service shall not be entitled to be absent from duty on
account of injury or illness unless a qualified medical practitioner has certified
him to be unfit for duty.

11.7 INJURY ON/OFF DUTY

Whenever a member of the Police Service is injured on or off duty, and requires
medical treatment, he should be sent to the medical officer, together with his
sick report. This is the normal practice, but as soon as his condition is
stabilized, the medical officer should be asked to complete LMPS 45 Injury
Form, in duplicate and forward it to the officer in charge of the police
detachment.

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LMPS 45

CONFIDENTIAL

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

LESOTHO MOUNTED POLICE INJURIES

(FINAL REPORT)

I, the undersigned, hereby certify that on the ......... day of.............................. 20.....,
at..................................................................................................................................
I attended No................... Rank...................... Name.................................................,
and found him to be suffering from.............................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
He/She continued to be under my care and until the......... day of ....................20.....,
when I again examined him and found him ...............................................................
for full duty. I am of the opinion that .........................................................................
could have been as stated by the patient, namely........................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................,

And............................ affect his future efficiency as a member of the Lesotho

Mounted Police Service.

Place.............................................................................................................................
Date................................................. M.O...................................................................

1. To be completed when condition of Member is stabilised.

2. To be rendered IN DUPLICATE.

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The officer, on receipt of this form, will then cause the ‘statement of the injured
person’ (L.MP.S. 46) to be filled in and completed by such person who has
received treatment, and forward these forms, in duplicate, to Police Headquarters.
Copies of the forms to be used are attached to the service order. The Director of
Medical Services will give directions to all Medical Officers regarding the
completion of LMPS 45.
It must be ensured that a member fully understands the particulars required in
LMPS 46 before he signs it. If such member should refuse to sign this form, an
explanation must be submitted to Police Headquarters.

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LMPS 46

LESOTHO MOUNTED POLICE SERVICE

STATEMENT OF INJURED MEMBER

I, ..................................................................... hereby declare that on the...................

day of ..........................2013 at.............................................................I sustained the

following ............................................................................namely.............................

.........................................................................as a result of.......................................

................................................................. whilst................................................ duty.

I declare, further, that to the best of my knowledge and belief I have fully
recovered and feel no ill effects.

Witness.................................................... Name........................................

Place........................................................ No.................Rank.....................

Date.........................................................

NB: To be rendered in DUPLICATE.

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11.8 RECORDS OF SERVICE
A confidential personal file will be maintained at Police Headquarters for every
member of the Police Service. However, there will also be a personal file of a
police officer from the rank of Police Constable to that of Inspector maintained at
the districts where such police officers have been deployed. At Police
Headquarters, only personal files belonging to Police Constables and Sergeants are
kept in the Registry Office, while those of Inspectors and above are kept in the
COMPOL’s Office.

11.9 SERVICE REGISTERS

Service Registers will be maintained in each District for all members up to and
including the rank of Inspector. All entries in connection with examinations,
promotions, reductions, increments, transfers, leave, misconduct, commendations,
rewards and award of medals and decoration will be entered by the District
Commissioner when authorized by publication in the service orders - a specific
authority from Police Headquarters. On transfer of personnel, the Registers will
also be transferred.
For Senior Police Officers, Service Registers will be maintained at Police
Headquarters.

11.10 HISTORY SHEETS

A master copy of the entries in service registers will be maintained at Police
Headquarters in the History Sheet Register.

Any change in respect of next of kin must be notified to Police Headquarters.

11.11 PAY
The pay of all members shall be as determined from time to time by the Ministry
of Public Service.

11.12 ALLOWANCES
Subsistence allowance will be determined from time to time by the Ministry of
Public Service being guided by the Public Service Regulations 2008, Chapter III,
Part C Regulation 58.

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11.12.1Allowance for Special Branch and C.I.S.
Officers working for Special Branches such as Stock Theft Detection
Unit, Gender and Protection Unit, shall receive Special Duty allowance.
Whereas the CIDpersonnel shall receive special duty and plain clothes
allowance.

11.12.2Allowance for Bandsmen

Other ranks that are posted as (more or less) permanent members of the
band shall be paid an allowance. The allowance is not payable to recruits
who join the band for any period during their recruit training.

11.12.3Radio Operators allowance

Other ranks who qualify as radio operators shall be paid an allowance
while actually employed on operating and maintenance duties.

11.12.4Drivers Allowance
Authorized and approved drivers shall be paid an allowance.

11.12.5 Retention Allowance

Officers with scarce skills shall be given monthly retention allowance.

11.12.6 Hardship Allowance

Hardship allowance shall be payable to officers stationed in the areas
determined by the Minister of Public Service as hardship areas. See
Regulation 62 of the Public Service Regulation 2008.

11.12.7 Acting Allowance

Section 8(5) of the Police Service Act provides that the Commissioner
may appoint a police officer to act in a rank senior to his substantive
rank, and where the period of such appointment exceeds 28 days, such
officer shall, during such acting appointment, receive salary at the scale
applicable to the senior rank at such incremental level as the
Commissioner may determine.

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11.12.8 Baggage Allowance
A police officer selected for a long term training abroad shall, when
returning to Lesotho, be entitled to an allowance of excess baggage
calculated in terms of Regulation 66 of Public Service Regulations 2008.

11.13 PROMOTION
Promotion of members of the Police Service shall be made in accordance
with the LMPS promotion policy, which shall contain relevant courses for
each level.

11.14 LEAVE
11.14.1 ANNUAL HOLIDAY LEAVE
Every member of the Police service shall, so far as the exigencies of duty
permit, be granted annual leave in accordance with the provisions of the Public
Service Regulations 2008 Chapter IV thereof.

11.14.1.1 ENTITLEMENT
Inspector and above are entitled to 24 days per year.
Sergeant and Sub-inspector are entitled to 21 days per year.
Police Constable and Lance-Sergeants are entitled to 18 days per year.

11.14.1.2 APPROVAL OF LEAVE

An officer shall agree with his sectional Head at least 3 days prior to
proceeding on leave and the Head of Department shall ensure that the interests
of the Police Service are not prejudiced by granting of leave.
The Commissioner of Police may approve leave for all Senior Officers.
Officers in charge of district or Stations may approve leave for the Inspectors
and other ranks under their command. No officer may leave Lesotho without
the prior approval of the Commissioner of Police.

11.14.2 UNPAID LEAVE

Unpaid leave shall be granted by the Minister responsible for Public Service,
after consultation with the Commissioner of Police, to a police officer who
requested it for reasons that need his attention if the said police officer has
expended all his annual leave.

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11.14.3 COMPASSIONATE LEAVE
The Commissioner of Police shall determine the number of days to be granted
to a police officer on compassionate grounds.

11.14.4 MATERNITY LEAVE

An expectant female police officer will be granted 90 days for maternity
purposes as stipulated in the Basic Conditions of Employment.

11.14.5 STUDY LEAVE

Study leave shall be granted in accordance with the LMPS Training and
Development Policy.

11.14.6 SICK LEAVE

Sick leave shall be granted by a qualified medical practitioner and shall be
subject to approval by the Commissioner of Police.

11.14.7 LEAVE PENDING RETIREMENT

The Commissioner of Police shall grant leave pending retirement to the police
officers who are due for retirement, or have applied for early retirement while
they still have annual leave days to their credit.

11.15 TRAVELLING OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY

In non-urgent cases prior approval will be obtained from the Commissioner of
Police to proceed on duty beyond the territory. In cases of emergency officers
may use their motor vehicles to carry out police duties, but in that event the
written authority of the Commissioner must be obtained on their return and
attached to the voucher claiming transport allowance.

11.16 MOTOR VEHICLE: MILEAGE CLAIMS

Mileage claims submitted for all officers authorized to draw such allowance
will be certified correct by the District Commissioner or Officer Commanding
district before submitting Police Headquarters at the end of each month. The
strictest economy must be exercised by all officers.

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11.17 ORDERLIES
One Police Constable may be allotted as personal orderly to every Senior Police
Officer or District Commissioner. He should undertake the care of the officer’s
car, uniform and should accompany the officer on inspections and other police
duties. On no account will he be required to perform domestic or household
duties of any kind.

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SECTION 12
DETAINEES AND ACCUSED PERSONS
12.1 ARREST
A member has discretion whether or not to arrest a person whom he has the
power to arrest and must exercise this discretion with great care.
Where the position of an accused person and the nature of the charge against
him make his arrest without warrant an unnecessary hardship, application
should be made to a magistrate to issue process for the appearance of the
accused person.
NB: Except in cases of murder, treason, sexual offence, robbery and house
breaking, accused shall not be arrested unless it is reasonable to believe that he
may abscond.

12.2 CAUTION TO BE ADMINISTERED TO ACCUSED PERSON

A person who is suspected to have committed a crime must be cautioned before
his arrest. He must be told that he is under no obligation to say anything as
whatever he may say may be reduced into writing and be used against him in a
subsequent trial. The same cautioning must be administered to a person who is
already in police custody arrested for a different crime.
Cautioning statement is structured in this manner;
1. I am Police Constable Tau and an investigator in the case of Arson in which
you are suspected to have committed.
2. You have a right to remain silent in connection with the charge and as such
under no obligation to say anything.
3. Anything you say or do may be reduced into writing and be used against
you in a court of law.
4. You have a right to a lawyer of your choice.
5. Knowing and understanding your rights as I have explained them to you,
are you willing to answer my questions in connection with the said charge?
Where a person in custody wishes to volunteer a statement, he should be
allowed to make it, but he should first be cautioned. However, where he makes

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 a statement before there is time to caution him he should be cautioned as soon
as possible. The fact that the caution had not been given under these
circumstances does not render the statement inadmissible.
Where a person in custody makes a voluntary statement, he must not be cross-
examined, but questions may be put to him solely for the purpose of removing
elementary or obvious ambiguities in voluntary statement.
In all cases the statement should be taken down in the vernacular and later
translated. The original statement in vernacular should, where it is intended to
hand in such a statement as evidence, be submitted.
Any person making a statement of this nature should be invited to sign it after it
has been read over and any requested corrections made.

12.3 ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF CIVIL SERVANTS

After the arrest has been made of a person in the employment of government,
the arresting officer should report forthwith so as to enable Dispol to forward
the report to Police Headquarters through normal reporting channel and that
person’s Senior Departmental Officer in the district are to be informed
immediately.

12.4 ARRESTS ON TELEGRAPHIC AUTHORITY

Authority for the arrest on telegraphic information in cases in which a warrant
of arrest is necessary is contained in section 35 of Criminal Procedure and
Evidence Act No. 9 of 1981.
The person arrested must be taken before a Magistrate as soon as possible and
the fact that the arrest has been made should be passed to the station whence the
information emanated by the quickest means available.

12.5 TREATMENT AND CONTROL DETAINEES

Police cells shall be cleaned thoroughly every day and will be whitewashed at
frequent intervals. Detainee’s blankets shall be aired daily and washed
frequently. Members in charge of stations shall visit and inspect cells daily,
both to ensure that they are being kept in a clean condition and to ascertain
whether detainees confined therein have any complaints. Any complaints shall

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 be recorded in the Occurrence Book and steps taken to enquire into and if
necessary, to rectify the matter complained of.
If a detainee says he is ill or is seen to be ill or injured, the member in charge of
the station must be informed and medical attention obtained when deemed
advisable. Detainees should be given facilities to dry wet clothing.

Detainees may not be employed on any work while in police custody other than
the cleansing of cells and bedding. No person shall be permitted to visit
occupied cells from motives of curiosity.
When not confined in cells, detainees must never be left unattended and
vigilance must be exercised at all times to prevent escapes from custody. When
searched after arrest and before being confined, care must be taken that every
article with which a detainee may injure himself or which might facilitate
escape, is taken from him and placed with other articles in his possession in
safe custody.
Every person detained by the police shall be allowed to communicate with his
relatives or legal advisor. However the communication shall strictly be
monitored by police officers in order to ensure that the investigation is not
jeopardised. A detainee’s legal representative shall be given time to interview
the arrested person provided circumstances permit.
Once a foreigner has been arrested, PHQ must be informed immediately so as
to communicate such with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Relations.
When a detained person of known violent habits, or who is to the knowledge of
the Police likely to become violent or suicidal, is delivered to a prison, the
appropriate Correctional Authorities shall be informed accordingly.

12.6 DETAINEE’S PROPERTY

All articles taken by the Police from an arrested person shall be kept in a safe
custody in the Police Station. A list of such property will be entered in the
Prisoners Property Book (LMPS 17) and when the property is returned to its
owner a signature or thumb - print for its receipt shall be obtained.

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 Should a detainee be remanded or sentenced to imprisonment, such articles
shall be transferred to the Correctional Department by the Police directly, with
an inventory and a receipt obtained from the Correctional authorities.
Bulky property which a detainee cannot take with him to Correctional Service
may be handed over, at his request, to his relatives or friends, provided a
written agreement is obtained, and a copy thereof handed to the detainee. The
station copy will be countersigned by the prisoner to the effect that he agrees to
the property being handed over to the named person.
When remand prisoners are disposed of by a Court in such a manner as to still
remain in Police custody and are not required to return to the prison where they
are held on remand, arrangements shall be made to send them, under escort, to
such prison in order that they may collect their property retained there.

12.7 DETAINEES – FEMALES

Whenever it is necessary to cause a woman to be searched, the search shall be
made by a female police officer or any female requested to assist, with a strict
regard to decency and privacy and, when practicable, in the presence of a
second female police officer.
When females are detained at a Police Station they shall be seen and searched
by a female police officer before being placed in cells. If, during their detention
they complain of illness or appear to be unwell, the female police officer will
visit the detainee and render any assistance necessary. In case of illness,
arrangements shall be made promptly for the attendance of a doctor or for the
removal of the detainee to hospital.
The female police officer must be in attendance when female detainees take
meals and perform their ablutions etc.
A male police officer shall not enter a cell in which a female detainee is
incarcerated, unless accompanied by a female police officer. The wife or other
adult relative of a police officer shall be requested to assist in this connection
when no female police officer is present.
The key of a cell in which a female detainee is detained will be retained in the
personal possession of the female police officer on duty.

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 During the recording of statements or interview of female complainants and
witnesses, police officers should ensure that at least one other member of the
Police Service or other person, preferably another female, is present, and in no
circumstances or whatsoever should a female detainee be left alone in the
presence of an individual male police officer. As far as possible the latter
precaution should apply whenever a female complainant or witness is in a
station building.

12.8 DETAINEES – JUVENILE

Members in charge of Police Stations will make provision for preventing
persons apparently under the age of eighteen (18) years while in custody or
while being conveyed to and from court, from associating with adults charged
with or convicted of any offence other than an offence with which the person
apparently under the age of eighteen (18) years is jointly charged or convicted.
In a Juvenile trial, no person other than the police officers and officers of the
court, the parties to the case, their attorneys and counsel and other persons
directly concerned in the case, shall, except by leave of the court, be allowed to
attend.
The release on recognizance, if necessary, of an apprehended person apparently
under the age of eighteen (18) years should be arranged as soon as possible,
except;
a) Where the charge is one of murder or culpable homicide or other grave
crime; or
b) Where it is necessary in the interest of such person to remove him from
association with any undesirable person; or
c) Where the member has reason to believe that the release of such person
would defeat the ends of justice.
When any juvenile, having been apprehended, is not so released, the police
officer to whom such person is brought shall cause him to be detained in a
separate cell apart from other detainees until he can be brought before the
court.

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12.9 TREATMENT AND CUSTODY OF DRUNKEN PERSONS
Police officers must be careful not to assume that a person who has been found
insensible is necessarily drunk, except when there are obvious reasons to show
that he is intoxicated as a state of insensibility is frequently caused by illness.
All insensible persons will therefore be seen by the police officer in charge of a
Police Station before being placed in cells. In any case, where doubt exists or
where the person remains insensible for a period exceeding two hours, such
person will be sent to the nearby health centre. The Health Officer must also be
informed if a drunken person appears to be in any way injured.
Any insensible person in Police custody will be examined by a Subordinate
Officer or Non-Commissioned Officer on duty at least once every half-hour.
No rigid rules can be laid down as to the procedure to be followed when it is
desired to have a person who is suspected of being drunk examined by a
Medical Officer, but in normal cases before being examined by a Doctor the
suspect ought to be charged and cautioned in the usual way by the Police.
Suspects who have not been charged must be specifically asked to consent to
medical examination and tests, and the member should make it plain that the
result of the examination and test might be used in evidence and that he is not
compelled to submit.
The accused should further be informed of their right to summon a doctor of
their own choosing and afforded facilities for so doing, but the Police
examination should not be delayed pending the arrival of the other doctor.
The medical examination should normally proceed without the presence of
Police members. Any interrogation/interview of the accused by the doctor with
regard to recent events is directed solely to testing his memory and coherence
and not to eliciting information bearing on his guilt, and any information
bearing upon his guilt which might be incidentally elicited must not be
communicated to the Police.
If consent to examination is refused, the fact of such refusal can be proved in
evidence.

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12.10 REMANDS
Every Police Station must keep a remand book which will be checked and
initialled by the member in charge of the Station daily.
No person arrested without warrant shall be detained in custody for a longer
period than in all the circumstances of the case is reasonable and such period
shall not (subject to the proviso below) unless a warrant has been obtained for
the further detention upon a charge of an offence, exceed 48 hours, exclusive of
the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the subordinate
Court having jurisdiction in the matter.
Unless such person is released by the reason that no charge is to be brought
against him he shall, as soon as possible, be brought before a Subordinate Court
having jurisdiction upon a charge of an offence.
Provided that if the Magistrate of the court is temporarily absent and there is no
other Magistrate available who has jurisdiction in the matter, that person may
be detained in custody until the return of such first mentioned Magistrate or
such other Magistrate becoming available, whichever is earlier.
Whenever a member effects an arrest without warrant, he shall forthwith inform
the arrested person of the cause of the arrest.

12.11 ESCAPES FROM POLICE CUSTODY

Every escape from Police custody will be made the subject of inquiry and
where necessary disciplinary action. The enquiry and action should be taken
immediately the escape is reported to ensure that any slackness on the part of
Police is checked at once.
The primary duty of a police officer having lawful custody of a detainee is to
prevent by all means necessary and lawful, the escape of such detainee, and
proper handcuffing, alertness in crowded places and vigilance in broken
country are essential to this end.
The powers conferred on the Police to deal with persons resisting or evading
arrest are prescribed in Section 42 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act
No. 9 of 1981.

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 The powers of the police with regard to escaping detainees are set down in
Section 44 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act No. 9 of 1981.

12.12 THE USE OF FIREARMS AND CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH BY

THE POLICE
12.12.1 Points to be considered
It cannot be too strongly impressed on Police Officers how essential it is, not
only to guard against the slightest misuse of their arms, but to use the utmost
forbearance that humanity and prudence can dictate, before incurring the moral
as well as the legal responsibility of firing on people.
It should consistently be borne in mind that however well justified a Police
Officer may consider himself in firing, the act, whether it results in loss of life
or otherwise will become the subject of investigation. He must therefore be
prepared to prove that he acted with humanity, caution and prudence and that
they were compelled by necessity alone to have recourse to firearms.
At the same time they must not be deterred from doing what, in the
circumstances in which they are placed, appears to be absolutely necessary as a
last resort, in the interests of law and order.

12.12.2 Where there is Resistance

Where an officer of the law is resisted in the legal execution of their duty they
may repel force by force, and if in doing so he kills the party resisting him, it is
justifiable homicide,; and this is so in civil as well as criminal cases (Archbold
Criminal Pleading and Practice, 34th Edition & Russel on Crime 11th Edition p
485).
However, “Where a man, who is entitled to kill when necessary, has by an error
of judgment used unnecessary force and so has intentionally brought about the
death of another he is only guilty of culpable homicide provided the excess of
force used is not gross and unreasonable” R.V. Koning 1933 (3) South Africa
220 (T) R.V. Mhlongo 1960 (4) S.A. 1952 (A.D.).

12.12.3 Is the Officer Bound to Retreat?

No, because the law has imposed the necessity on him of executing his duty.
But the officer cannot kill, for example, after the resistance has ceased as then
the killing would be at least Culpable Homicide.
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12.12.4 Self Defence
In addition, a Police officer may plead that he was justified in using his firearms
in the following circumstances:
When he is attacked and his life is in danger and there are no other means by
which he can save his life.

It will be necessary for the Police Officer to prove that he was in danger of
receiving some serious injury which was likely to endanger his life. In these
circumstances it will be difficult to justify the use of firearms if he is attacked
by a single unarmed man.
If, however, he is attacked by persons who are carrying weapons (e.g. firearms,
knives, sticks or stones) which are capable of inflicting injury, and they attempt
to use them against him, he would generally have no difficulty in proving that
he was justified in using his firearms. This would also apply if the Police officer
was attacked by a single armed person.
If, however, he shoots a man who attacks him with a knife, or a heavy stick, he
will have to prove that no other means were sufficient, in the circumstances, to
protect his life (e.g. that he could not disable his attacker with a tonfa or the butt
of his rifle). See R.V. Detsera 1958 (1) S.A. 762, R.V. Mhlongo 1960 (4) and
R.V. Kroukamp 1956 H.C.T.L.R. 54.

12.12.5 Where there is Flight

(a) Where an officer has legal authority to apprehend a man attempts to do so,
and the man instead of resisting, flees and is killed by the officer in pursuit;
if the offence with which the man was charged were treason or felony, or a
dangerous wounding and he could not otherwise be apprehended, homicide
is justifiable but the killing if intentional, would be murder if the deceased
were charged merely with a breach of the peace, or other misdemeanour, or
if the arrest were intended in a civil suit. But if homicide were occasioned
by means not intended to kill, such as tripping by his heels, giving him a
blow of an ordinary cudgel, or other weapon not likely to kill or the like, it
would at most be only Culpable Homicide (Archbold 34th. Edition P.975).

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 (b) A “Peace officer” (which includes a police officer – see section 24 of the
Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act No.9 of 1981. or a private person is
entitled, in terms of section 27 (1) of the above Act, “to arrest or assist in
arresting any person who has committed or is on reasonable grounds
suspected of having committed any of the offences in Part II of the First
Schedule of this Act, attempts to make such arrest, and the person whose
arrest is attempted flees or resists and cannot be apprehended and prevented
from escaping if other means than if such offence on private person killing
the person so fleeing or resisting, such killing shall be deemed in law
justifiable homicide”.
Nothing in this section shall give a right to cause the death of a person who is
not accused or suspected of having committed one of the offences mentioned in
Part II of the First Schedule of this Act, the offence of theft being limited for
the purpose of this section to theft in a dwelling house at night time, the theft of
stock or produce as defined in any law for preventing the theft of stock or
produce.
“A Police officer cannot shoot at a person merely because he runs away, he
must first use other means to capture him and can only resort to a firearm if he
can use no other means whatever to recapture the arrested person.” R.v. Hartzer
1933 A.D. at p. 309.
A Person who seeks to the immunity provided by section 27 (1) of the Criminal
Procedure and Evidence Act 1981, must prove the prerequisites to immunity, R.
v. Britz 1949 (3) S.A. 293 and there must be proof that the arrest was lawful R.
v. Mofokeng 1954 (4) S.A. 86 (0).

12.13 PURSUIT OF ABSCONDING SUSPECTS

In accordance with the provisions of section 43 of the Criminal Procedure and
Evidence Act No. 9 of 1981; if a person in lawful custody escapes or is rescued
the person from whose custody, he escaped or was rescued may immediately
pursue and arrest him or cause him to be pursued and arrested in any place in
Lesotho.

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SECTION 13
PROSECUTIONS, COURTS, EVIDENCE, PROCESS
13.1 POLICE DUTIES AT THE COURT OF APPEAL AND HIGH COURT
On all occasions when the Court of Appeal and/or High Court are held, an
appointed member of the Police Service will be in constant attendance. The
duty devolving on this officer during the Sessions is of an important and
responsible nature, and it is desirable that it be performed by an experienced
member.
The member will have present under their command sufficient Police, both
within and outside the court, to maintain good order, as may be necessary,
having regard to the particular circumstances and nature of the cases under trial,
as well as to guard and to exercise proper supervision over accused persons
and witnesses whilst within the precincts of the court. The Department of
Lesotho Correctional Services will be responsible for the escort of all accused
in their custody, whereas the Police will escort those in their custody.
Suspects remanded in custody will remain in the custody of Correctional
Services at all times, whereas those not yet remanded will be in custody of the
Police. The member of the Police Service will be in possession of a list of all
exhibits and witnesses for the prosecution in each case, and before the case in
question is called he will ascertain personally that all prosecution witnesses are
duly in attendance and exhibits are present.
He will then see that all waiting witnesses remain in the room or place provided
for them. The member will consult prosecuting Counsel as to the order in which
witnesses will be called and assist in producing in the court each witness and
exhibit as and when required. Particularly he will prevent those witnesses who
have given evidence conversing or communicating with witnesses who have
not yet been called.
Officers in charge of stations will be held responsible that all exhibits and
witnesses for the prosecution are available at High Court on the day of trial and
that if a witness cannot be traced affidavits of reliable people at his last known
address and of the Police officer sent to serve the subpoena will be available for
Counsel.

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 Any observation made by the Court commenting in any respect on the conduct
of any member of the Police Service or on Police procedure in any case will be
reported without delay to the Commissioner.
Police orderlies will be assigned to the Judges.

13.2 EVIDENCE GIVEN BY POLICE OFFICERS

The evidence of all Police Officers must be given with the strictest accuracy,
comprehensively and without malice. Particular care must be taken to state
clearly the exact facts which must neither be elaborated in any manner, nor
suppressed in any degree, still less should any statement in evidence be so
worded, spoken or twisted, as to convey any impression that may be false or
even misleading. Police officers must not allow a desire to secure a conviction,
nor any other consideration whatsoever, to induce them, when in the witness
box, to deviate in the slightest degree from speaking the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth.
Police officers should be indifferent to the result of the prosecution as long as
all relevant facts are brought out and if a Police officer is aware of any fact in
favour of the accused it must be stated. It is the duty of the police to give all
relevant information at their disposal to the Magistrate, and it is for him to
decide whether a prima facie case has been presented and whether the accused
is guilty or innocent.
Police officers should not enter into conversation with witnesses, press
representatives or members of the public during the hearing of a criminal case.
Police must pay the utmost attention and respect to Judges, Magistrates and
Counsel at all times. They must be punctual in attendance at appointed times,
properly dressed and clean and smart in appearance, especially when giving
evidence. When in the witness box they will never lounge or stand in a position
than at “attention” or properly “at ease”. They will listen carefully to all
questions put to them and will answer in a clear and deliberate manner, facing
the Judge or Magistrate as they do so.
NB: This order must form the subject of frequent instruction at lectures.

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13.3 CRIMINAL WARRANTS: SUMMONSES AND SUBPOENAS
All criminal summonses and subpoenas received for service at Police stations
will be returned to the Court of issue by the date endorsed on the summons or
subpoena, whether served or not.
Process not served will be accompanied by affidavits showing why no service
was made.

13.4 POWERS OF SEARCH BY POLICE

Part VI of the Criminal Procedure & Evidence Act No.9 of 1981 deals with
Police Powers of Search.
It is of the greatest importance that every police officer should be thoroughly
conversant with the provisions of the law which set out the extent and the
limitations of powers of search. In addition to these provisions, certain Acts
confer upon the Police powers of search in specified cases.
Members will make themselves acquainted with these additional statutory
powers of search which are set out in the PTC Training Manual.
Before himself proceeding to execute a search or when detailing a subordinate
to take charge of such a search, a Police Officer must make certain that all
officers proceeding on that duty know what is being searched for; and that they
understand the nature of the duty, and the method properly used in the
execution.
Experience has shown that, unless special precautions are taken, false
accusations of stealing, or of other misconduct, are likely to be made by a
person whose premises or property have been searched by Police. The member
conducting the search must always be particularly watchful to prevent any
possibility of such accusations being made with any appearance of truth against
members of his party. The following procedure should be adopted as routine:-
a) Before the actual search is started the member in charge of the party must
satisfy himself that no member of their party is carrying any article which
could possibly be used to fabricate evidence against the person whose
premises or property is to be searched.

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b) Every endeavour should be made to secure the attendance of the occupier of
the place searched. Should this be impossible, where practicable the
attendance of two respectable witnesses should be obtained to observe the
search. A list of articles seized during the search will be compiled and
should be signed by the occupier of the place or by the two witnesses.
c) At the scene of the proposed search, and prior to the actual start of the
search, the member conducting the search should inform the suspect as to
exactly what is being searched for; and the latter should be asked whether
he has any money, jewellery or other portable valuables on the premises. If
the answer be in the affirmative he should be requested to produce such
valuables, and provided they are not the subject of the search, to retain them
in his possession pending completion of the search.
d) During the search he should personally supervise the whole conduct of the
search; and should give particular attention to the search of those parts of
the premises where money and valuables have been declared to be kept.
e) At the conclusion of the actual search, before leaving the premises, he
should ascertain by enquiry from the owner or owners of the property
searched that no complaints are forthcoming about property stolen or
damage done in the course of the search.
f) Before leaving the immediate vicinity of the search he should satisfy
himself that members of his party have not with them any articles
unlawfully removed from the premises searched. When these precautions
have been taken it should be extremely difficult for a false charge against
the Police to have the appearance of veracity.
In all cases where it is desired to execute a search warrant between the hours of
sunset and sunrise, magisterial endorsement on the warrant authorising
execution during such hours should be obtained from the issuing Magistrate or
Justice of the Peace. In no circumstances should a Search warrant issued under
the provisions of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act be executed during
the hours of darkness unless it bears such endorsement.
When general search for stolen stock or produce or liquor or habit forming
drugs or unauthorised persons is contemplated an experienced officer must be
detailed to take charge of the party.
Page 112 of 226
The police forming the party must be adequately “briefed” before leaving the
Charge Office and precise instructions must be given to them as to the purpose
of the search and what action to take if opposition or obstruction is
encountered. The officer in charge of the party will so arrange matters that he
is immediately available to deal with reports of obstruction or opposition; and
Police will be instructed to report such incidents at once.
The number of officers required to control the search party will be at the
discretion of the officer in charge of the station.

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SECTION 14
FINANCE AND STORES
14.1 EXPENDITURE
Expenditure can only be made on the authority of a departmental warrant issued
by Police Headquarters.

14.2 DEPARTMENTAL WARRANTS

Will show the maximum amount which may be spent in any one calendar
month. Any over-expenditure incurred without authority will be charged to
“Advances” in the name of the officer responsible.

14.3 ESTIMATES
In respect of:-
a) New buildings
b) Maintenance of existing buildings
c) Vehicles
d) All other items of general equipment must be submitted to P.H.Q. in June
of each year for inclusion in the following year’s draft budget estimates.

14.4 REQUISITIONS
Requisition for uniform and personal equipment will give the name and number
of the man for whom it is wanted as well as his sizes, and will be submitted to
Police Headquarters as required. Officers will ensure that they personally
inspect the uniform and equipment of every man in his District not less
frequently than once a month. The holding of stocks of uniform and equipment
at District Headquarters is forbidden.
A record of uniform issued to each man will be maintained by districts and
shall be reflected in each police officer’s Service Register. Uniform and
equipment of men discharged will be retained by Districts for re-issue. Any
shortage will be paid for before discharge. Prices will be ascertained from
Police Headquarters. On transfer of the rank and file from one district to
another, the man’s record of uniform issued will act as a transfer voucher.

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 For other items, requisitions must be submitted monthly to the Quartermaster at
Police Headquarters. Each district will be allocated a specific day to collect
requested items or any other equipment that may be issued from time to time.
14.5 DUTIES OF DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
Officers in command of Districts are required to ensure that all Government
property on their charge is kept in good order and safety, and that the prescribed
books and registers are maintained accurately and in the manner laid down by
these orders and Government Regulations. They will themselves inspect all
equipment and stores in their charge not less frequently than once in three
months, and ensure that loss or damage to Government property by negligence
or carelessness is made the subject of disciplinary proceedings. In particular
they will ensure that members of the Rank maintain their uniform in clean and
good repair and that replacements are not incurred by failure to have repairs
made in good time.

14.6 LEDGERS
Proper Ledgers will be maintained at each District Headquarters which will
reflect all items or equipment within the District and from time to time will
show all items received on charge and taken off charge with correct voucher or
board reference.
The ledger will be divided into sections for stores at District Headquarters, and
those at each station or post shown separately. Stores will again be subdivided
into suitable categories each in alphabetical order, saddler shop, transport etc.
Every six month the ledger will be ruled off and a balance struck between
receipts, and items taken off charge, against the balance on hand. This new
balance on hand should be entered in red ink.

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14.7 THE APROVED SCALE OF POLICE UNIFORM

ISSUE OF POLICE UNIFORM

No. Item Quantity/Pair
1 BLUE SUITS (SUMMER) 2
2 BLUE SUITS (WINTER) 2
3 RAIN COAT 1
4 WHITE SHIRTS (SHORT SLEEVES) 3
5 WHITE SHIRTS (LONG SLEEVES) 3
6 TIE 1
7 JERSEY 1
8 RIDING BREECH/SMALL 1
9 PAIR PUTEES 1
10 WOOLEN HAT 1
11 CAPS (OPERATIONAL AND NO.1) 2
12 WHIP STICK/ HAND BAG 1
13 LANEYARD/ GOLD 1
SHOULDER FLEDGES 1
14 LEATHER GLOVES 1
15 PAIR HAND CUFFS 1
16 PENCIL POCKET NOTEBOOK 1
17 PAIR SOCKS 3
PANTY HOSE 3 PACKETS
18 GREAT COAT 1
19 COMBAT 1
20 ANAROK 1
21 SHOULDER TITTLE PAIR 1
21 HAT BADGE 1
22 IDENTITY CARD 1
23 PAIR OF EARRINGS 1
24 PAIR EPAULETTES 2
25 BUTTONS (S, M, L, AND XL) 16
26 BELTS (LEATHER) 1
27 STABLE BELTS 1
28 HAT PLASTIC COVER 1
29 PAIR STAR 1
30 PAIR CHEVRONS 1
31 PAIR ARMLETS 1
32 PAIR WHITE GLOVES 1

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 33 TONFA 1
34 PAIR STRIPES 1
35 OPERATIONAL SHORT SLEEVE 1
SHIRTS
36 OPERATIONAL TROUSERS 2
37 OPERATIONAL JACKET 2
38 OPERATIONAL CAP 2
39 PAIR BOOTS 2
40 PAIR SHOES 2
41 STEEL HELMET 1
42 NAME TAG 1
43 WATER BOTTLE 1
44 WATER BOTTLE CARRIER 1
45 KIT BAG 1
46 WHISTLE 1
47 WHISTLE CHAIN 1
48 POLICE OFFICER’S GUIDE 1
MANUAL
49 OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE 1
50 BAND SUIT 1
51 ARMOURED VESTS 1
52 BARRETES 1
53 SCUBA WET SUIT 1
54 WEBBING 1
55 SAM BROWNE 1
56 MESS DRESS 1

NB: Above is the scale of uniform for all ranks within the police service. When
issuing the uniform the Quarter Master will distribute it basing himself on the
following factors:
 Rank which the police officer holds;
 Unit which the police officer is attached to.
However, there are certain items which can only be loaned to police officers for
only a certain time, which must be returned to the stores within reasonable time
after the task has duly been completed.

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Particular care is to be observed in the fitting of uniform and a record must be kept
of each man’s correct size. Clothing which does not fit should be returned to Stores
for exchange rather than be extensively altered. The following points should be
appreciated:-
(i) Common measurements for Trousers and Breeches are the same, so
that a man should take the same size in all these garments,
(ii) The height of the man refers to his height in boots,
(iii) All requisitions for uniform should show the man’s height and chest and
waist measurements.

It is the responsibility of the man to whom uniform is issued to keep it clean

and in good repair. Where a man loses an article of uniform he will be
defaulted under the Lesotho Mounted Police Service Regulations
(Administration) 2003 and 2004.

14.8 UNAUTHORISED UNIFORM

It will be considered disobedience of orders for a police officer to wear:-
(i) Unauthorised variations from the types of uniform laid down,
(ii) Articles of uniform when in mufti, or articles of mufti when in uniform,
(iii) Uniform when off duty except when going on or off duty.
The changes from Summer to Winter and from Winter to Summer uniform will
be made on the order of the Commissioner of Police.

14.9 MAINTENANCE OF LEDGER AND REGISTERS

The following records will be maintained at all Divisional and District
Headquarters:-

a) Equipment Ledger
b) An Expenditure Ledger: Will be kept for recording consumable stores for
such small stocks of other articles as will be authorised to be kept in the
District Stores. A plain foolscap will be sufficient with columns ruled to
show.

___1__ 2 3 4 5 6
DATE S .I .V . QUANTITY ISSUES DATE RECEIVEDBY

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 And one or more pages for each separate item.

Consumable stores will be written off by the use of a Stores Expenditure

Voucher, which will be submitted in duplicate to the Commissioner of Police.
Other articles will be shown as issued to Police Constable W or to Inventory Y
and will be signed by the receiver;
c) A Saddler Register will be maintained to record the issue of sets of
saddlery to men going on patrol. Each set will be numbered; e.g. L.M.P.S 18
and each piece in that set will bear the same number.

14.10 BOARDS OF SURVEY IN DISTRICTS

In all districts all uniform and equipment will be boarded locally.

14.11 PURCHASE AND BOARDING OF HORSES

Remounts may be purchased locally and from abroad with the prior approval of
Police Headquarters. Where the aggregate cost of a number of animals
purchased at a sale is or below M30, 000.00 in value, procurement will be made
straight away. Where price exceeds M30, 000.00 but is below M100, 000.00
three quotations must be sought from different suppliers. Where a sale is M100,
000.00 or above, the Procurement Officer in collaboration with the Transport
Officer and the Veterinary Officer, will invite tenders from qualified suppliers
in accordance with the laws governing tendering processes.
District Commissioners will, if they consider it necessary, confirm the opinion
of the officer Commanding Station that the remount is suitable for police work.
In all cases a certificate must be obtained from a Veterinary Officer or, in his
absence, an Agricultural and Livestock Officer, that the animal is physically fit.
Forms S53 will be completed in quadruplicate by the Officer Commanding
Station.
The original will be attached to the Payment Voucher and the other three
forwarded to Police Headquarters. One copy will be returned and this copy will
accompany the animal wherever it is transferred. When the animal is finally
boarded, this copy will be completed and sent to Police Headquarters. It will
later be returned for filing in the Station Office.

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 When animals are boarded which did not have Forms S53 made out in
quadruplicate when they were originally purchased, these forms will be
completed in triplicate and all copies will be forwarded to Police Headquarters.
One copy will be returned for filing in the Station Office.

14.12 ANNUAL BOARDS OF SURVEY

Annual Boards of Survey will examine and report on police stores and
equipment at the end of every financial year.
Completed Board Papers (Forms S.33 and, as necessary, 33A and 33B) will be
forwarded in triplicate by the District Commissioner to Police Headquarters.
After approval one copy will be returned for filing in Station office.
Members of the LMPS should note that it is the duty of the officer on whose
charge the property is, to have it ready for easy checking in one place by the
Board and the Stores in use elsewhere should be represented by signed receipts.
No one officer is required to spend more than two working days on Annual
Boards of Survey. If, in his opinion, he cannot perform satisfactorily in that
time the duties placed upon him, he should ask the District Commissioner to
relieve in part of his duties.

14.13 AUDITS
The Principal Auditor and the staff of the Audit Department and the Controller
of Stores have authority to inspect and audit police stores and ledgers at any
time. The Government Stock Verifier has authority also to carry out an
inspection and audit of police stores and ledgers from time to time.

14.14 PRINTED BUS WARRANTS (FORM T.10)

Printed Bus Warrants, Form T10, are now available in books of fifty; Controller
of Stores is arranging to issue.
The warrants should be signed by the District Commissioner or his deputy, and
the space at the foot showing expenditure head and item to be debited must be
completed when the warrant (top copy only) is issued.
The white copy must be attached to the bus owner’s account and payment
voucher; the pink copy should be retained with the duplicate of the voucher.

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 The third copy remains in the book and should be endorsed with the date paid
(or sent to Police Headquarters for payment) and with the PAID stamp.

REQUISITION SHEET L.M.P.S 81

QUANTITY DESCRIPTION DATE OF TOTAL ISSUES REMARKS

ITEM ON HAND OF ITEMS LAST ISSUE SINCE 1ST JANUARY
NO.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

DATE...................................... SIGNATURE...................................................
DESIGNATION..............................................

NB
Stationary Envelopes state the size in the remarks column, i.e. 4 x 8 etc., Uniform
attach a Schedule showing name, number, rank, size etc.

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SECTION 15
POLICE TRANSPORT
15.1 USE AND MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Motor vehicles on station charge may only be used for Police duty, and may
only carry passengers authorised by an Officer or N.C.O.
Motor vehicles should be, as far as possible, driven by one driver, and provision
will be made for a driver to be supplied for this purpose. Where a certain police
officer has to be authorised to drive a motor vehicle for a particular journey,
such authorisation must be reflected in the log book. During emergencies, a
licensed driver may be authorised by the Station Commissioner to drive for the
sole purposes of attending the emergency.
Motor vehicles will not be driven by anyone other than a licensed and
authorised driver, except with the permission of a Senior or subordinate Police
Officer or of the Officer in charge of the Station.
Anti-freeze/coolant will be placed in all vehicles in the correct proportion. It is
supplied on requisition from Police Headquarters.
Servicing and maintenance will be performed by Mechanical workshops in
Maseru and approved agents in districts. It shall be the duty of every driver to
keep the motor vehicle he drives thoroughly clean.

15.2 MOTOR VEHICLES – ACCIDENTS TO AND LIABILITY

All ranks are required to take note of the following instruction, and all Officers
are required to put it into effect.
As soon as an accident involving the government vehicle has occurred, it is the
responsibility of the driver of such a vehicle to report such an accident at the
nearest police station and to the Transport Officer. The only exception is where
the driver of the vehicle is critical and therefore is unable to report the accident
as stipulated, he shall report as soon as he is released from Hospital and be able
to go to the police.

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Procedure to be followed when reporting an accident to the Transport
Office

The following paperwork must be filled in:

 Vehicle Accident Report GP92, four copies,

 Accident Report Motor Insurance
And be submitted together with the following:
 Police Map from the Police Station where accident was reported
 Copy of driver’s license.

Form GP92 is sent to the following personnel:

 Original – Principal Secretary Finance
 Copies – Accountant General
Auditor General
Manager, Government Garage
The Accountant General will give authority for the repairs to be carried out. No
repairs to a vehicle damaged in an accident should be carried out by Mechanical
Workshops until the Accountant General’s authority is received.
Where disciplinary proceedings have been held, a copy of the proceedings
(handwritten if necessary) should accompany the Vehicle Accident Report, GP
92. While the purpose of disciplinary proceedings is strictly punitive, the
powers of surcharge of Principal Secretary for Finance are purely
compensatory, that is, the Principal Secretary for Finance is not interested in
punishing a Government Servant, but in seeing that Government is reimbursed
for all or part of the financial loss which Government may have sustained.
Thus, the powers of the P.S. Finance do not in any way conflict with those of
the Commissioner of Police. Therefore, the recommendations of the Officer
completing the form should be based on the amount of the loss sustained by
Government, together with the degree of negligence, if any, shown by an officer
concerned. Contributory negligence by Officers other than the Officer most
directly concerned should also be assessed

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 Everything possible must be done to ensure that the Vehicle Accident Report,
GP 92 is completed and sent in with minimum of delay, that is, within 30days
of occurrence of the accident.

15.3 USE OF GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT

Government vehicles must only be used on genuine Government business and
may not be used to transport officers to and from their homes, except in the
following circumstances:-

(a) If the nature of an Officer’s duties are such that he is on call at all times,
a vehicle is necessary for the performance of his duty, and he is not in
receipt of an advance to purchase a vehicle. Heads of Departments and
District Commissioners may authorise the officer, in writing (with a copy
to the Director of Audit), to take specified Government vehicle home
outside normal working hours;

(b) When an officer is to go on an official journey starting early in the

morning he may, with the prior approval of the Head of Department or
District Commissioner, take the vehicle home the previous night;

(c) If parking facilities at the place of work is inadequate for the safe keeping
of the vehicle, and it is not possible to make alternative arrangements
with the other Departments.
Officers in charge of vehicles will be held personally and peculiarly responsible
for their safe custody while in their care. Drivers of police vehicles must keep
strictly to their authorised route.
All members of the LMPS are authorised to stop government motor vehicles,
inspect log books, and report to the Head of Department concerned any breach
of terms of this Standing Order.
Any officer committing a breach of the terms of this standing Order will render
himself liable to disciplinary action.

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15.4 MAINTENANCE OF MECHANICAL TRANSPORT
It is essential that officers should ensure that Police motor vehicles are properly
maintained and subjoined hereunder is a Schedule of Maintenance which
should be followed by drivers in future:-

SCHEDULE “A”

15.4.1 DAILY MAINTENANCE

Check oil level in the engine. The dip-stick will be removed and wiped with a
clean rag. Replace the dip-stick. Again remove the dip-stick and ascertain that
the level of the oil in the sump reaches the operating mark on the dip-stick. If
the oil level falls below this mark, replenish with engine oil.
Examine the oil in the sump. This examination will be done at the same time as
the oil level is checked. When withdrawing the dip-stick look at the oil on it. It
should be clean and of the normal colour of new oil; if it is black it must be
changed (see below). Examine it also to ascertain if there are any water
particles mixed in with the oil. If there are droplets of water, the truck requires
attention by experts and in the meantime should not be driven.
Check water in the radiator. If it is not full, fill with clean water.
Check brakes by applying both hand and foot brakes. If either go near their
limit of travel, they require adjustment by experts.
Check each tyre to ascertain;
a) That they are inflated to the correct pressure as recommended in the truck
manual;
b) That there are no nails, stones, etc., in the tyre tread or tyre walls.
Check steering. Should the steering wheel turn more than about one sixth of a
turn without turning the wheels, repairs are required.
-Check to see that the horn is working properly.
Check rear view mirror to see that it is in good condition and properly adjusted.
Check all lights to see that they are in proper working order.
Check windscreen wipers.
Check to see that the choke lever is not sticking.
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Check fuel in tank.
Check that generator is working by watching the ammeter needle. It should
record a change immediately after starting up.
Visually check for oil or grease leaks at the following:-
(a) Sump pan,
(b) Gear box, especially at the rear and near the propeller
drive,
(c) Differential housing, especially towards the front near
the propeller drive,
(d) Any excessive leaks from any part of the engine,
(e) Leaks from the brake system master cylinder, fluid lines and each break
cylinder on the inside of each wheel brake drum,
(f) Leaks from the steering box housing at the lower end of the steering
column,
(g) Grease throw out on the hub caps of each wheel. If there is a grease
throw out on any wheel bearings is necessary. If the truck is driven in this
condition, the wheel bearing will be ruined, the steering will be affected
and the brake lining will rapidly be ruined with consequent brake failure.
(h) Examine fan belt. It should neither be too tight nor too loose and, if it is
frayed, it should be replaced immediately,
(i) Check spare wheel and tyre for serviceability and pressure,
(j) Check tools to ensure that none are missing and that they are in good
condition; e.g. hydraulic jacks, no fluid leakage, etc.,
(k) Check shock absorbers and springs for leakage, etc.,
(l) Check level of acid in the battery and ensure that all terminals are clean
and there are no leakages from the battery.

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SCHEDULE “B”

15.4.2 MAINTENANCE TO BE CARRIED OUT ONCE A MONTH OR

EVERY 10,000 MILES: WHICHEVER IS THE SOONER
This maintenance is to be carried out over and above the schedule laid down for
daily compliance.
(a) Ensure that all grease lubrication points are properly greased and that none
of them are running dry,
(b) Remove each hub cap and test each wheel nut for tightness,
(c) Jack up each wheel and spin to ensure that the brakes are not binding. For
this purpose the hand brake lever must be released and stones put for and aft
of wheels. Test each wheel to ensure that there is no undue wear in the
bearings. This is done by rocking the wheel at top and bottom when play if
present will be felt,
(d) Examine all connections on the steering gear for excessive play. There
should be no play in these connections. Ensure that all split pins are in order,

(e) Examine springs and shock absorbers for breakages and leakages,
(f) Examine brake feed lines for damage and/or leaks,
(g) Examine exhaust system for damage and efficiency,
(h) Examine fuel tank and petrol feed lines for leakages,
(i) Examine all nuts and bolts beneath the body to ensure tightness,
(j) Examine “U” bolts. These are the main bolts which hold the body to the
driving wheels and should be at all times very tight and properly bedded on
the springs, etc.,
(k) Examine gear box oil level and if low top up with the correct oil,
(l) Examine level of oil in the differential. If low top up with the correct grade
of oil,
(m) Examine fluid level in the brake master cylinder and top up with brake fluid
if necessary. (The outside of the cylinder must be properly cleaned before
examination to ensure that no grit etc., enters the cylinder),

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(n) Examine the hand brake apparatus to ensure that the brakes are releasing on
the wheels when the lever is released. It often happens that grit, etc., jams
the hand brake system and the brakes do not release properly,
(o) Examine the oil level in the steering box and top up if necessary,
(p) Examine carburettor for leaks etc.,
(q) Examine fuel pump sediment bowl. If it contains water, or sand, clean out
and refit with new washer. Ensure on replacing that there is no petrol leak,
(r) Check clutch adjustment ensuring that there is a clearance, that is, that the
pedal can be depressed slightly before contacting the clutch thrust. If there is
too much play and the clutch pedal is not fully releasing the clutch, expert
adjustment should be made,
(s) Examine the engine oil. If it is badly discoloured it should be changed.
Engine oil change must be made as recommend in the motor vehicle manual.
At the same time as changing the oil, the oil filter element should be
changed. It is useless putting fresh engine oil into an engine if the oil filter is
clogged up with dirt. This oil filter is a very important part of the engine, and
in any case of doubt it should be replaced. It is quite in order to replace the
filter at every oil change, especially if the motor vehicle is used under dusty
conditions,
(t) Remove the carburettor air filter. Drain off the old oil, wash out the sand
from the cup and wash the steel wool element in paraffin, dry and replace
after filling with new clean engine oil to the level mark,
(u) Remove and clean plugs and reset to the stated clearance. Replace plugs if
they are badly burnt, and at least every ten thousand miles,
(v) Examine all electric wiring for breaks, chafing, etc.,
(w) Check all nuts and bolts on the engine for tightness,
(x) Examine the engine mountings for breakages or wear,
(y) Examine and clean the engine oil breather and, if of the oil type, wash out
with paraffin and refill with engine oil,
(z) Drain the radiator and refill with clean water and anti-freeze using
appropriate measurements,
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 (aa) Oil the generator and starting motor if recommended in the motor vehicle
manual,
(bb) Remove the distributor cap and ascertain that the distributor is free from
excessive grease, that the points are clean and are opening properly to the
regulation clearance. Lift off the rotor shaft. Check the vacuum line from the
inlet manifold to the distributor for damage and ensure that the connections
are properly tightened. Clean off any corrosion from the rotor arm and the
brass connections on the inside of the distributor cap, and
(cc) Examine the coil for damage and ensure that all electrical connections are
tight and clean.

15.5 BICYCLES – MAINTENANCE AND USE

All Police cycles on charge to stations and members must be kept properly
cleaned, oiled and adjusted and they will be inspected, at least once per week,
by the Officer in charge of the station and, at inspections, by the District
Commissioners.
Each user will be held responsible that no damage is occasioned to the machine
through misuse or negligence while it is in his charge. If damage is caused
through misuse or negligence, the Police officer responsible may be called upon
to defray the cost of repairs. Cycles on charge to police Stations may only be
used on police duty.

15.6 DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS IN POLICE MOTOR VEHICLES

No driving instruction will be given in a Police motor vehicle and no learner
driver may drive a motor vehicle, except with the written permission of the
Commissioner of Police. The Commissioner of Police may delegate his
authority to his Deputy or to his Staff Officer only.
As Government vehicles are uninsured, the Commissioner of Police will ensure
that only in exceptional cases, where the interests of Government require that a
Government Officer not possessing a driving licence should learn to drive, will
authority be given to this end.
In his letter of authority, the Commissioner will specify the name of the
instructor, and the vehicle(s) to be used. The learner drivers may thereafter

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drive only with the instructor named and in the vehicle(s) specified. The
Commissioner may attach any other conditions he may consider necessary.
No passenger (Government or Non-Government), except the instructor, will be
carried in any police motor vehicle while it is being driven by a learner-driver.

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SECTION 16
CIVIL DISTURBANCES AND DEALING WITH CROWDS

16.1 DISPERSING CROWDS

Dispersing of crowds shall depend on the initiative of the Officer concerned,
and the varying circumstances attendant on the dispersal.
Police must deal expeditiously with unlawful assemblies, which may easily
develop into riots. Discretion and judgment should be exercised in all cases, but
Police should bear in mind the necessity for taking every step with firmness,
and preventing public disorder or a breach of the peace. The first consideration
should therefore be the dispersion of the crowd and the apprehension of
offenders if the circumstances are such that arrests are deemed desirable.
Every effort will be made in the first instance to disperse a reasonable orderly
crowd by persuasive measures, and batons should not be used unless the
position is such that immediate force is necessary.
If the crowd is disorderly and throwing stones, it would be reasonable to expect
the Police to attempt to disperse it by the normal procedure of dealing with
crowds, and tonfa parties will be used as laid down in the LMPS Training
Manual. Each party will be led by a Senior, Subordinate or Non-Commissioned
Officer.
The tonfa will be used in an attempt to disable violent persons and the best
place in which to hit a man for this purpose is on the upper arm or on the
extreme end of the collar bone near the shoulder.
If a disorderly crowd is large and the force available is small in proportion to it,
tear gas grenades or shells may be used in an attempt to disperse the crowd
before resorting to the use of batons. This possible action will of necessity
depend on the situation of the crowd and the direction of the wind.
When dealing with a disorderly crowd, the tonfa parties will attack, as far as
possible, in such a direction that the crowds are moved into a position in which
the use of tear gas is possible. The Senior Police Officer present will bear this
in mind when issuing instructions for the use of batons.

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In the unfortunate event of it being found necessary to resort to the use of fire-
arms in any civil disturbance, the Police action will be strictly guided by Crowd
Management Training Manual, and it is essential therefore that all Senior
Officers should be conversant with these instructions. Meetings and
Processions Act. No. 14 of 2010 also provides for procedure to be followed
when one intends to hold meetings and processions.
The District Commissioner will be kept fully informed of the possibility of, or
of any disturbance taking place in his district and will be requested to attend.
The District Commissioner is responsible for the maintenance of law and order
in his district and for calling for Police action. The decision as to what kind of
action is taken, however, rests with the Senior Police Officer after he has
consulted with the District Commissioner.
Officers in charge of stations must impress upon all ranks the vital necessity of
acting in a body, and the need for strict obedience to orders when dealing with
civil disturbances. Training in the use of fire-arms must be such that every
order will be instantly obeyed, no matter how grave the situation might be. (See
Crowd Management Control – Lesotho Mounted Police Training Manual).
A firing party will consist of numbers, dependant on circumstances, and the
strength of the station. The firing party should, if possible, consist of men who
have not been engaged in dealing with the disturbance, as this will ensure that
the men arrive fresh on the scene, their tempers will not have been frayed and
their judgment will not accordingly have been affected.
Firing should, as far as possible, be directed to disable and not to kill.
Officers in charge of stations are responsible for seeing that all equipment is
stored in good condition and ready for instant removal by motor vehicle to the
scene of any disturbance. Batons and shields will be frequently inspected to
ensure that they are in serviceable condition. Ammunition, tear gas, bombs,
respirators and goggles will be kept stored in suitable containers ready for
immediate removal.

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16.2 PREVENTIVE ACTION
It is the duty of every Police Officer to be constantly on the alert for any
impending unlawful meeting and to keep the Officer in Charge of the Station
fully informed of what is likely to happen.
With the information obtained it is the duty of the Police to take all possible
steps to prevent a disturbance by;
(a) Collecting and passing on intelligence to the District Commissioner,
(b) Reporting persons making seditious speeches and by seizing seditious
literature,
(c) Controlling large gatherings of people at lawful meetings,
(d) Dispersing any meeting which has become an unlawful meeting,
(e) Preventing an unlawful meeting from developing into a riot,
(f) Taking steps, if necessary, to get persons bound over to be of good
behaviour if they are likely to commit a breach of the peace,
(g) Obtaining the friendly mediation and assistance of such persons who
have influence with the parties likely to give trouble, and
(h) Having heaps of road metal or other articles which can be used as
missiles removed from a place where crowds are likely to collect.

16.3 DEALING WITH ORDELY CROWDS

Frequent practice will be given to Police in the method to be adopted with
orderly crowds who may assemble on special occasions. The most suitable
method for the police to use with a crowd that have encroached on to a space
which must be kept clear is for the Police to link arms, moving forward steadily
and slowly, explaining to the crowd at the same time why it is necessary for
them to move back. Tact and good humour in carrying out this duty may cause
the crowd to respond and cooperate, whereas the use of unnecessary force may
cause a peaceable crowd to become disorderly

16.4 POLICE ASSISTANTS

Police Assistants shall be employed in accordance with section 59 of the Police
Service Act No.7 of 1998.
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SECTION 17
POLICE RECORDS
17.1 POLICE BOOKS AND RECORDS

The following is a list of Police Books and Records which should be kept at all
stations unless in the case of small stations it is not required to do so:-
(a) Occurrence Book
(b) Record of Crime Investigation
(c) Lost Property Book
(d) Found Property Book
(e) Prisoners Property Receipt Book
(f) Cell Register
(g) Telegram Book
(h) Exhibits Register
(i) Road Transport Warrant Book
(j) Patrol Register and Reports
(k) Stores and Equipment Ledger
(l) Votes Expenditure Ledger
(m) Lecture and Instruction Book
(n) Note Books
(o) High Court Process Book
(p) Sick Register
(q) Requisition Book
(r) Defaulters Book
(s) Motor Vehicle Log Book
(t) Police Training Manual
(u) Stock Theft Register
(v) Lost Stock Register
(w) Standing Orders
(x) Police Gazettes, A, B & C
(y) Government Gazettes
(z) Service Registers
(aa) Increment and Re-Engagement Book

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 (bb) Office Diaries
(cc) Plain Clothes Allowance Book
(dd) General Orders
(ee) Docket Form of Case
(ff) Saddlery Register
(gg) Shoeing Register
(hh) Equine Duty Ledger
(ii) Grain and Forage Ledger
(jj) Finger Print Forms – Suspect Dossiers
(kk) Route and Instruction Form
(ll) Detention Form
(mm) Disciplinary Register
Law and reference books in accordance with inventories and law books will be
amended and indexed.

17.1.1 THE OCCURRENCE BOOK: LMPS 1

This is the principal record of the Police, being a complete diary of all that
transpires, such as crime, and matters of public interest requiring investigation
or attention which are reported or come to the notice of the Police, and also the
duties of the men on the Station.
The entries are made by or under the supervision of the Police Station Non-
Commissioned Officer. An Officer or senior should make an entry showing the
time occupied etc., and giving any instructions called for. He must sign and
date such entry.
Events are to be recorded as they come to notice, each day’s entries concluding
at midnight when a line is drawn across the page, after the concluding entry for
the day, preferably in red ink.
The day of week and date are inserted in blank space at head of each page.
When ruled at midnight, day and date are inserted under the line drawn.
All entries are to be numbered in monthly sequence, the first entry in each
month being No. 1. A blank line must be left between entries.
A system of cross-reference is used to facilitate tracing the action taken, i.e. A
reports a theft at 0900hrs the Occurrence Book entry being No. 45. At 0930hrs

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Police Constable ‘B’ is sent on Patrol to investigate. The entry in regard to his
departure happens to be 48. In order to connect up the two entries, the figure 48
is entered in red ink beneath the figure 45 to denote that the next relative entry
is 48. Similarly, the figure 45 is entered in red ink above the entry 48 to denote
that entry 45 refers to the same matter.
Next day Police Constable ‘B’ returns to the Station and the entry reporting his
return is 85. Then the figure 48 is entered in red ink above the 85, to show that
the entry No. 48 refers to the matter. Underneath the original entry 48 the figure
85 is entered in red ink to denote that the next entry is No. 85.
In this manner every entry referring to one matter is connected up with the last
previous entry, and the next succeeding one on the same subject, and this makes
it easy to start with the original entry and trace the whole police action without
waste of time.
At times it may happen that entries connected with the same subject appear in
two different months, as when Police constable ‘A’ goes out on patrol on the
31st January and only returns on 1st February. The red ink entries will show this
by adding the month, i.e. 14/2 in red ink underneath the original entry to denote
that the return will appear in the occurrence Book No. of departure followed by
stoke and figure 1, i.e. 700/1, to denote that the relative entry is in a previous
month. If connected entries are made in different years, the year must also be
added to the red index entry.
It must be noted that each entry is only connected up to the one before and the
one after, not to the original entry as well, so that no entry can have more than
one index reference above or below.
There is no need to connect up entries in regard to purely routine duties, the
system only being necessary in regard to crime or matters requiring police
attention.
The first word or two of an entry, which should partake of the nature of key-
words to the entry, are to be underlined in red ink such as arrest, sick leave,
drill, patrol, information of crime, stable, parade.
If the key-word is in connection with a night patrol, it is to be in red ink. Thus
the use of red ink for writing in the Occurrence Book is restricted to numbers

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entered under the cross-reference system outlined above, and the key-words
that need special attention such as the word patrol, in the case of night patrols,
arrests, release and reports.
Entries must be brief and clear, and only the substance of the report or
occurrence is given in cases where details can be found elsewhere, such as in
Enquiry File, R.C.I., or in the docket. Service numbers and initials of police
officer need not be given except to distinguish between two or more men of the
same name, but the numbers of the police animals and names of riders should
be given in entries relative thereto. Particulars of mileage covered need not
appear.
No entry need be made in the record of Policemen present and available for
duty, but entry must be made if it is discovered that a Police officer is absent
without leave or permission, or when his absence cannot be accounted for.
The receipt or dispatch of monies will be entered and the numbers of any
relative receipts will be quoted.
Entries are to be made at the time the matter in question is reported or occurs.
For example, if a prisoner is arrested at 0900hrs and at 1000hrs he is released to
court, the entry in regard to his release to court is a fresh entry at 1000hrs and is
not simply added to the original entry dealing with arrest. Should an entry have
been inadvertently omitted, a post entry is made at the time of discovery of the
omission, i.e. 200. 1000hrs Post entry: Patrol Off: Police constable Kutu reports
having returned off patrol at 0900hrs with No. 5654 Riding Horse Tobaka from
Morija. Patrol Report 1/3/55. The key-word Post Entry must be written with a
red ink.
When an O.B. entry deals with a matter reflected in another register, a cross-
reference is made at the end of the entry, e.g. R.C.I. 1/3/55, E.F. 1/3/55. In such
other register will be entered, e.g. O.B. 20/03/15.
In every station, the officer in charge must peruse every entry in the O.B. daily
and it must be initialled as an indication that it has been checked.

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 17.1.2 THE RECORD OF CRIME INVESTIGATION: LMPS 2

This is the most important Crime Register maintained, containing as it does,

particulars of every charge accepted by the police. Every case reported, where
it is clear that a prima facie case is established, must be entered in the register.
When a person is arrested and brought to the police station and charged, or
when he has been summoned or warned to appear at Court, full particulars in
regard to the accused and brief particulars of the charge are entered.
When several accused have been arrested for participation in one offence, then
only one R.C.I. is opened and all the accused are entered there under, as No. 1
accused, No. 2 accused, etc. Where three men assault another, only one crime
has been committed and the three are jointly charged, particulars being entered
consecutively in the column name of accused, and being numbered 1, 2 & 3.
Where, however, three men are caught at the same time, each committing the
same offence, but not acting jointly, they must be charged separately, each
under a distinctive R.C.I. number as for example, when three people are caught
at the same time and found not to have paid their tax. Although they are
caught together and the offence in each case is the same, yet each has no
connection with the other two, so that they must be separately charged.
It must be remembered that no charge is entered in the R.C.I. unless a prima
facie case has been established. When a person is charged, the fullest possible
particulars are to be ascertained and entered, i.e. full name, age, occupation,
nationality, chief, and address. Particulars of the offence are entered very
briefly and if there is more than one charge, the charges are numbered.
The result of trial and date must be entered as soon as judgment has been given
in the case. If the docket is closed without being sent for trial the fact is noted
in the column, “Withdrawn by the Complainant” or as the case may be. A line
in red ink must be drawn across the page below each entry.

17.1.3 CIRCULATION REGISTER – LMPS 8

This is the register used for circulating information about lost property to all
other police stations so that wherever such property can be found, those who
found it will notify the station which circulated the information.

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17.1.4 LOST PROPERTY
All reports of lost property will be entered in the Occurrence Book. This entry
will contain a full description of the article lost, its value, the circumstances of
the loss and the full name and address of the owner or loser.
LMPS 8 will be completed in duplicate. The original will be forwarded to
P.H.Q. The duplicate will be filed in sequence.

17.1.5 FOUND PROPERTY REGISTER - LMPS 14

When found property is handed to a police officer while out on patrol or
engaged on beat duty or (as the case may be) when he is not on duty at a police
station, he will immediately enter in his note book all particulars, including
description of the property, the name and address of the person from whom
received, place where and when found and either give him a receipt for the
property or obtain his signature to the entry in the note book. He will adopt the
same procedure in the case of lost property found by him.
All lost property found by a police officer or handed to him will be handed in
by him at the police station. Livestock is to be sent to the nearest pound and the
fact is to be reported in the Occurrence Book. A receipt must be obtained from
the pound master.
On receipt at a police station of any articles or found property, an entry will be
made in the Occurrence Book, giving particulars of the property, including
description of the property, when, where and by whom it was found.
Full particulars of the property, including the registered numbers in the case of
bank notes or other paper money, will be entered in the Found Property
Register. The entry will be signed by the Charge Office sergeant and by the
police officer or other person handing in the property.
Full details of all found property will be circulated to PHQ on LMPS 8. An
entry to the effect will be made in the remarks column of the Register.
Worthless property may be destroyed on the authority of the Station in charge.
In all such cases the authority will be given in Column 5 of the Register. When
the destruction has been carried out, an entry to that effect will be made in the
Occurrence Book and a reference to such entry will be made in column 6.

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Post Office Savings Bank Deposit Books handed into the police as found
property, after entry into the Register, must be returned to the Accountant, Post
Office Savings Bank, Maseru. Under no circumstances must the book be
handed to the owner or finder. In cases where a book is retained for enquiry or
any other purpose the Accountant, Post Office Savings Bank, Maseru is to be
advised. The accountant must sign as proof of receipt of such.
Money handed in as found property will be entered in the Register, and handed
over to the sub-accountancy. A receipt must be obtained and posted over the
relevant entry in the Register to serve as final acquittance. The owner or finder
or other claimant must be referred to the sub-accountancy if a refund is
subsequently claimed.
Passports, Postal Orders, Money Orders and Stamps found by or handed to the
police, should immediately be forwarded to the Office of the Commissioner of
Police, Maseru, with a report of the circumstances in which they were found,
and the name and address of the finders.
All property taken on charge other than money will be labelled with the number
of the entry in the Register, and stored in a safe place at the police station/post
e.g. the station in charge’s office. Care should be taken to guard against loss or
destruction.
Perishable articles are to be kept only as long as is reasonable, having regard to
their nature. If such articles are unclaimed, they may be sold and the proceeds
paid into the Police Reward Fund. If they cannot be sold, they must be
destroyed on the authority of the Station in charge.
Articles of an inflammable or dangerous nature such as petrol or explosives,
should be stored in such a place and handled in such a manner as not to
endanger persons or property, and the provisions of any law applicable to such
property should be observed.
If the name of any person likely to be the owner is disclosed on any property,
he should be communicated with and, if he is the owner, the property is to be
handed to him against his signature in the Register. If there is any likelihood of
a dispute as to the ownership arising, an indemnity (which need not be
stamped) should be taken from the person to whom the property is given.

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Property of sufficient value to justify the expense involved or any article likely
to be of sentimental value, if not claimed within fourteen days, may be
advertised in the local media houses. Application for the publication of any
such advertisements should be made to the Commissioner of Police for
approval.
When property is claimed and there are no rival claimants, the Station in charge
in charge of the detachment, if satisfied that the claimant is the owner or the
person entitled to receive the property, will hand over the property to him,
providing he defrays the expense incurred in advertising or maintenance (if
any) and if required so to do signs an indemnity.
In cases where there are rival claimants and in all cases of difficulty or
importance, the direction of the Commissioner of Police should be obtained.
In all cases where an indemnity has been taken, the forms are to be numbered
according to their number given in the relative entry in the register and filed.
Persons, to whom property is handed over, in cases where an indemnity has not
been taken, will be required to sign for it in column 6.
Signature should be attested by one witness or in the case of a thumbprint, by
two witnesses. Persons unable to sign should be required to impress their right
thumbprint.
All property other than money not claimed or otherwise disposed of after the
period of six months should be sold on the instruction of the Commissioner of
Police, who will be supplied with a list of those articles to be sold by Public
Auction.
A note of the price each article realised must be shown on the list and all
monies received paid into the Police Rewards and Fines Fund and a certificate
of the total amount realised will be forwarded to Police Headquaters.
Unclaimed arms and ammunition which under any law may not be handed to
the innocent finder should be forwarded to the Commissioner of Police for
disposal.
No police officer may retain any property of any description which may be
found by him whether on or off duty, nor may he, if such property is unclaimed,
receive it or the proceeds thereof in the capacity of innocent finder.
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 No police officer may receive any reward in respect of any property which he
may have been instrumental in recovering without the previous authority of the
Commissioner, and persons who may wish to do so should be requested to
communicate with the Commissioner.
The serial number of the Found Property Register will be an annual one
commencing on the 1st January in each year.

17.1.6 PRISONERS PROPERTY RECEIPT BOOK - L.M.P.17

In all cases where arrests are made, the police officer affecting the arrest will
immediately search the prisoner and take away from him knives, sticks, any
other dangerous weapons or noxious matter that he may have on his person.
On arrival at a police station, he will be thoroughly searched again and all his
property, including money, tobacco and matches, etc., taken from him.
A receipt will be issued to the prisoner. The receipt will be made out in
triplicate. The original to remain in the receipt book, the duplicate carbon copy
to be handed to the prisoner, and the triplicate carbon copy to be kept with the
property.
Any exhibits amongst the prisoner’s property will be entered direct into the
Exhibit Register and must not be reflected in the receipt.
The receipt must be correctly completed. The date and time to be shown on the
receipt, will be the date and time the Occurrence Book entry of the arrest is
made.
The Record of Crime Investigation and Occurrence Book reference numbers
will be shown in the spaces provided on the receipt form.
The number, rank and name of the police officer in charge of the case, and the
full name of the prisoner must be filled in.
The registered numbers of bank notes must be quoted in the space provided in
the money column, and the total amount of all money shown in figures and
words.
Other property must be briefly described, e.g. one knife, one pipe, quantify
tobacco, etc.

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The police officer carrying out the search must sign the receipt, and obtain at
least one witness to attest his signature.
If an error is made in the name of the prisoner or the amount of money on the
receipt, the receipt must be cancelled and a new one issued.
A line in red ink will be drawn across the three copies and the word “cancelled”
written above the line. The police officer making the cancellation will sign and
date stamp same on all three copies, which must remain in the book.
Where a prisoner is transferred to a goal, the escort will sign for the property on
the reverse side of the original receipt.
When the property is handed over to the Gaoler, the latter will be required to
sign for same on the triplicate copy. This copy must be pasted in the book and
serve as a final acquaintance for the property. Only the left-hand edge of the
triplicate copy must be affixed. The receipt will be pasted in the book in such a
way as to leave the original and copy clearly legible.
In cases where a prisoner is released at the police station before transfer to a
gaol, the property will be handed back to him and his receipt therefore obtained
on the reverse side of the original receipt. One witness is required to sign the
receipt in cases where the prisoner’s signature is obtained, and two witnesses in
the case of a thumbprint.
When a prisoner is transferred for trial to another police station, either in
Lesotho or in the Republic of South Africa, before admission to gaol, the escort
will be required to sign the receipt on the reverse side of the original. The escort
will be handed the triplicate copy, together with the property. This copy will be
returned to the station of origin after receipt of the property by the gaoler, who
will be required to sign for it.
When property is transferred from the Prisoner’s Property Receipt to either the
Exhibit Register or Register of Property taken charge of by Police, an
endorsement to that effect will be made on the original receipt. The serial
number of the entry in the register to which the property is transferred must be
quoted.

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17.1.7 WIRELESS MESSAGE FORM – LMPS 72
This form is used by the Signals Branch for purposes of passing messages
within the Police Service and other Disciplined Forces.

17.1.8 MESSAGES REGISTER – LMPS 93

This book is used for registering incoming messages before being distributed to
their final destinations. The person whom the message concerns will then sign
in the Register to show that they have received the message.

17.1.9 CELL REGISTER – LMPS 16

When a suspect has been arrested and brought to the Police Station, his name
will be entered in the Cell Register, and the columns completed as required
under the various headings under “Arrest”.
Suspects will be numbered from one upwards each month in Column 1.
In column 2 abbreviations will be used, e.g. M/M, E/F, A/M, A/F, C/M, C/F,
for Mosotho male, European female, African male, African female, coloured
male, coloured female, etc.
The Occurrence Book reference number, date and time under columns 7, 8 and
9 will be reference number, date and time the release is entered in the
Occurrence Book.
When a suspect is released, the column under “Release” will be completed.
The reason for the release must be briefly stated under column 6, e.g.
transferred to prison, sent to court, released to his home (or as the case may be).
The Occurrence Book reference number, date and time under columns 7, 8 and
9 will be reference number, date and time the release is entered in the
Occurrence Book.
Under the “Remarks” column, the condition of the detainee released will be
shown, e.g. released on good condition.
At the beginning of each month the previous month’s entries will be ruled off in
red ink and a new month started. Detainees still in Police custody will be
carried forward from the previous month. The first three columns only under

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 heading “Arrest” must be completed in red ink; column 4 and 5 to be left blank.
Column 6 to 10 will be completed in the ordinary way when the prisoner is
finally released or sent to prison.
17.1.10 EXHIBIT REGISTER - LMPS 11
Wherever any property or anything in respect of which an offence has been, or
is suspected to have been committed, or which is likely to afford evidence of
the commission of an offence, or which is intended to be used for committing
an offence is taken possession of by the Police, full particulars of such property
or anything will be entered without delay by the police officer in charge of the
case or the charge office detail, in the Exhibit Register. The Non-
Commissioned Officer in charge of Charge Office will ensure that this is done.
Full particulars, as required under the different headings in the register, are to
be entered as soon as they become available. The serial number in column 1
will be an annual one commencing from the first January in each year.
In the case of banknotes, the registered numbers are to be recorded under the
heading, “Description of Property”.
When exhibits are transferred from one register to another, e.g. from “Exhibit
Register” to “Found Property Register”, they are to be signed for by the police
officer transferring them, and each entry should be cross-referenced.
When exhibits are taken from the station by a police officer for investigation or
other purpose, or are sent to court, it must be reflected in the Occurrence Book.
When the exhibits are returned, fresh entry must be made in the Occurrence
Book, and the two entries cross-indexed.
When exhibits are transferred to another station, the detail in charge of the
Charge Office of the station of destination will enter the exhibits in his Exhibit
Register. He will sign a “movement of exhibits” which comes from the station
of the origin.
After completion of the trial or enquiry in which the exhibits figured, and when
it is certain that they will not be required further, and no order of court has been
made as to their disposal, they should be returned to the owner or person
entitled to receive them. His signature therefore is to be attested by one witness
and in the case of a thumbprint by two witnesses. Illiterates should be requested

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to impress their right thumbprint. The handing over of such property to the
owner should also be reflected in the Occurrence Book.
Where the court has made an order as to the disposal or destruction of exhibits,
the officer or senior police officer in charge of the station will ensure that the
order is strictly complied with. The manner of disposal will be entered in the
Occurrence Book and the entry is signed by the responsible official. The
Occurrence Book will be quoted in the column “How disposed of” in the
Exhibit Register, with brief particulars of manner of disposal, e.g. “Destroyed
by Order of Court”.
In the case of livestock, sections 52-55 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence
Act No. 9 of 1981 is instructive as to procedure to be adopted as regards to the
disposal of the animals pending any investigation or trial in which they are
exhibits. Application should be made for direction as to disposal on Form
LMPS 12.
In those cases where the identification of the stock has been established, and the
ownership is not in dispute, the investigating officer, with the consent of the
person from whom the stock was seized, shall hand over the animals to the
person whom he regards to be entitled to their possession, subject to an
undertaking in writing by such person to produce the stock when required for
purposes of any further criminal proceedings in respect of the said stock. This
will obviate the necessity for the Police Service to bear the cost of caring for the
animals.
All exhibits will be labelled with the number of the case in which they figure.
The police officer in charge of the case will see to it that this is done. Exhibits
in each case will be kept separately so as to facilitate checking on inspection.
When the police office requires a witness to identify an exhibit, he should,
whenever possible, be asked to pick it out from a number of similar articles.
The greatest care of exhibits must be taken while in the custody of the police.
Precautions should be taken to prevent their being lost, damaged or tampered
with. When a motor vehicle is taken possession of in cold weather, the water
must be drained from the radiator to avoid damage in case of freezing. In order
to prevent the motor vehicle being started with no water in the radiator, a label

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will be affixed to the driving wheel and inscribed with the caution “No water
in the radiator”.
Articles of value, such as gold, money, firearms, ammunition and articles of
considerable importance as exhibits must be kept under lock and key,
preferably in a safe.
Where the case has been closed as “Undetected” or the accused has absconded,
and exhibit is not produced in Court, the District Commissioner should be
approached for an order as to disposal.
When the date of trial has been fixed, the Officer or Non-Commissioned
Officer in charge of the detachment will ensure that the exhibits, correctly
labelled, are taken to Court.
In order to avoid the accumulation of valueless articles, officers will inspect the
register of exhibits at least once a month and give instructions in the
Occurrence Book as to the destruction of articles apparently of no value.
Drugs of Abuse, analogue or controlled chemical, or any pipes, receptacles or
appliances for smoking or using the same, found in possession or custody of
any person not entitled to keep or use the same in terms of the Drugs of Abuse
Act No. 5 of 2008 and any drug or plant referred to in any section of the said
Act, if there is reasonable ground for suspecting that it has been unlawfully
imported, acquired, produced, derived or manufactured, may be seized.
All materials and articles so seized and all materials forfeited as a result of legal
proceedings under the Act shall be disposed of only by delivery to the Minister
responsible for health for use exclusively in meeting the lawful medical,
scientific or training needs of Lesotho, or by incineration, or such other safe
means of destruction as the Minister may direct.
Care must be taken that exhibits, except those perishable in nature, are not
destroyed before the period allowed for appeal has elapsed, and, if appeal is
lodged, the matter has been disposed of, or in review cases, before the
proceedings have been disposed of by the High Court.
Whenever exhibits are taken over for production at the court of law, or for any
other purpose, they are to be carefully checked, including the numbers of the

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 bank notes or other paper money, by whoever takes them over before he signs
for them.
On the conclusion of trial at which an exhibit is the property of the Government
or for which the Government is responsible (such as diamonds, unwrought
gold, or money used in trapping cases) has been produced, the Public
Prosecutor should be asked to request the Court to make an order for the return
of the exhibit to the Police.
Whenever practicable, all exhibits are to be taken as soon as possible before the
Clerk of Court or Registrar of the High Court for safe keeping. However, it
might be ordered that they be retained in police custody until produced in Court
at a trial or preparatory examination, in terms of Section 55 of the Criminal
Procedure and Evidence Act No.9 of 1981.
The form (LMPS12) will be used. It should be rendered in duplicate; one copy
will be filed under Clip B in the docket to be kept in conjunction with the
Exhibit Register and the other copy to be filed by the Clerk of Court or
Registrar of the High Court.
Part VI of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act No.9 of 1981 bears
reference to seizure, detention and disposure of exhibits.
In cases where the conclusion of any investigation is pending and there is need
for the use of the exhibits kept under the Court’s order, whether in custody of
the Court or Police, the investigating officer must make an application for their
retention for purposes of further investigation.

17.1.11 PATROL REPORTS LMPS 19

Police Officers going out on Patrol should be provided with Patrol Report
(LMPS19), with instructions to the patrol will be brief and concise and
tabulated covering specific duties and the date and times of the patrol will be
entered in the Occurrence Book.
Reports will be numbered from one upwards each month: A police officer will
be expected to complete the patrol report indicating how the instructions which
were given to him were executed and make some remarks if any.

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The Supervisor will check the reports and note any queries or give any
instructions considered necessary in the appropriate space at the foot of the
minute.
Apart from blankets and necessary equipment, police officers on patrols will
carry note books (containing descriptions of persons wanted, property stolen,
etc). Handcuffs and police guide books.
As a horse travels with less fatigue during the early morning and late afternoon,
resting during the heat of the day, patrols (unless there is good reason for
making a late start) will not leave before 0700hrs in Winter (1st April to 30th
September) or 0600hrs in summer (1st October to 31st March).
While on patrol, police officers will not, except in cases of urgency or for short
distance, ride at a faster pace than a walk. After every two hours riding they
will dismount and see to the fitting saddler and tighten girths. They will off-
saddle every two hours and rub the horses “back”. Sore backs are caused by ill-
fitting saddler, loose girths or riding for long stretches without off-saddling.
Horses will be watered at frequent intervals and fed. On no account will horses
be given a drink of water an hour after feeding as this causes colic.
Patrols will get into friendly conversation with the inhabitants and elicit
information about crime or matters affecting the Police. They will at all times
be on dignified and friendly terms with law-abiding citizens.
Mounted Police will, as far as possible, not keep to main roads. They will
acquire a good knowledge of bridle paths, passes, footpaths and short-cuts and
make use of these and frequently ride through the veldt.
Night patrols will be confined to occasions when there is a definite object for
such patrols in view or when definite results can reasonably be achieved.
Chiefs, Missionaries and Storekeepers and other citizens visited will be asked if
they have any complaints or reports to make and these will be recorded in note
books and in the column provided on the reverse side of the patrol report.
The name of the trading store or any other name of place visited will be shown,
with date and time of arrival and departure accurately reflected and kept up-to-
date in the respective columns.

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 Patrols will visit villages adjacent to their routes, if possible, where suspect
store breakers or notorious criminals live, and check whereabouts. Any
information received must be reported on return to station.

17.1.12 TRANSPORT WARRANT BOOK

This book is an accountable document and should be securely held either by the
Officer Commanding or an authorised deputy.
It must only be used for official business. New book should under no
circumstances be opened before the old one is closed and new unused book
should be securely held.

17.1.13 STORES AND EQUIPMENT LEDGER

This ledger must be kept up-dated at all times.
Receipts and boards must be entered as soon as received and where destruction
is ordered this should be carried out forthwith. The Officer Commanding must
check his balances at routine times and ensure his stores and equipment agree
with the ledger balances.

17.1.14 NOTE BOOKS

Every police officer of any rank must be in possession of a regulation note book
in which he will record details of investigations made, persons wanted, and
stolen property.
Note books must be kept neat and ready for use. No defacements may be made
and no rubbing out is allowed. Incorrect entries will be crossed out and
initialled. Pages will not be torn out or removed in any way.
A police note book may be called for at any time by the Court for examination.
Accuracy in regard to all entries made in note books is of the utmost
importance, and officers must not trust to memory, but must record details in
their pocket books of any matter which it may be necessary to refer to at a later
date.
Note books will be inspected regularly by the Station in charge, and will be
produced for inspections. Full note books will be retained by the Officer
Commanding until destruction is authorised.

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17.1.15 HIGH COURT PROCESS BOOK
Details of all High process received, its service and eventual return will be
recorded in this book. It is the duty of every police officer to serve or execute
any summons, warrants or process directed to him. Section 29 of the Police
Service Act No. 7 of 1998 is instructive in this regard.

17.1.16 REQUISITION BOOK

This is an accountable document and will be securely held under the control of
the Officer Commanding or an authorised member.

17.1.17 DEFAULTERS BOOK

Details of all defaults among members on strength, punishments, payments of
fines, fulfilment of punishments, etc., will be maintained.

17.1.18 MOTOR VEHICLE LOG BOOKS

A full record of all journeys made, stating the date, purpose, place from, place
to be visited will be maintained by the driver. He will also record his service
number and name, as well as the officer authorising the journey.
There will also be a record of the kilometres travelled within that journey
(mileage). A record of petrol and oil received, will also be maintained and the
places where drawn, and the petrol attendant will sign.
Officers commanding and Transport Officers are personally responsible for
ensuring that motor vehicles are properly serviced and used only on authorised
police duties.
17.1.19 STOCK THEFT REGISTER
All reports on stock theft with details of stock stolen will be entered in this
register and cross referenced when circulated.

17.1.20 LOST STOCK REGISTER

Details of all stock reported lost will be entered in this register and cross-
referenced when circulated. Cancellations will be made when notification of
recovery is received.

17.1.21 LECTURE AND INSTRUCTION BOOK

Officers in charge of stations will record the following in this book each month:
(a) Special subjects or points which have been noted for instruction.

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 (b) Details of lectures given, the subjects covered and by whom given.
(c) Drill Parades, type of drill and number attending.
All available men will be lectured at least two hours a week.

17.2 COMPILATION OF DOCKETS

Docket Form of Case (LMPS 5) is used to open cases for all reported
incidences which require police investigation.
The necessary particulars as to District, Station, O.B. No., R.C.I. No.,
Investigating Officer, name and address of complainant and of accused (if
known), the charge laid, etc., are duly entered before the docket is allocated to
any police officer for investigation purposes.
Before any docket is filed away it must be completed as far as possible and,
where the investigation has resulted in the trial of the accused, care must be
taken to show the result of each count and, if more than one accused is
involved, then in the case of each accused too.
Cases which have not been sent for trial must be suggested to be closed by an
Investigating Officer, who should himself enter the closing remarks such as
“Withdrawn by the Police”, “undetected”, “Found false on Enquiry”,
“Withdrawn by complainant”, as the case may be.
All papers for filing in dockets should have a binding margin of about two
inches on the left-hand side (front of page), or the right-hand side (back of
page).
The contents of the docket are divided into three parts, fastened together with
clips or pins.

17.2.1 Clip A
This contains the first information of crime and statements of witnesses, reports
of analysis by Medical Officers or other expert witnesses, documentary exhibits
(in envelopes for protection), plans or photographs or scene of crime, and any
other papers likely to be used as evidence to aid the Public Prosecutor during
trial. These papers are marked A1, A2, A3, etc., in order.

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17.2.2 Clip B
This contains all correspondence e.g. application for warrants, warrants of
arrest, or search, (copies of letters sent, and original replies), dog reports, copies
of circulation notices, etc., numbered B1, B2, B3, etc., also written request with
date and time to Medical Officer to hold post mortem, which must state shortly
how deceased met his death and, where suspicion of witchcraft is present this
must be stated.

17.2.3 Clip C
This contains the investigation diaries filed in sequence and numbered C1, C2,
C3, etc.
Every paper in the docket must bear the Detachment name and the R.C.I. or
Enquiry File number.
The investigation diary should form a complete record of all the work put into a
case and also serve as an index to statements and correspondence, circulations,
cancellations etc. If properly kept, the perusal of the diary will enable an
inspecting Officer or the officer responsible for closing the case to follow the
investigation easily, and to satisfy himself whether or not all possible steps have
been taken to bring the matter to a successful issue. Where an entry is made in
the diary as to the taking of a statement it would be as follows:-

INVESTIGATION DIARY (LMPS6)

10.11.2013 First Information of crime per chief’s letter is received and A1
0900hrs filed.
Signature

10.11.2013 Statement of Sam White is received and filed. A2

0930hrs
Signature

The statement can then quickly be found if wanted.

Great care must be taken to enter up everything done during the investigation of
the case. In the event of the investigation being handed over to another police
officer he can see how the enquiry has been carried out, what has been actually

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done, etc. Again, should the complainant complain that his case has not
received the attention due to it; reference to the diary will reveal the extent of
the inquiries that have been made.
Entries such as “No action taken”, “Otherwise engaged”, are forbidden. All that
need be done is to enter what has been done. Both sides of the paper should not
be used, both in taking statements and writing up investigation diaries. In petty
cases the Investigation Diary should be kept on the reverse side of the short
docket form of case.
As a rule the first entry in the diary must be the first information of crime. Care
should be taken not to repeat in the diary what appears in statements but any
information likely to be of use is to be entered. For example, a statement may
be taken from A revealing his knowledge of the case; and A may also inform
the police officer that B told him that he saw the accused selling the stolen
sheep to C. It is obvious that this information should not be put in A’s
statement, which should be limited to what he himself can testify. But it is also
obvious that some record should be made of this useful information, in case the
further inquiries in the case are not carried out by the same police officer. This
information is therefore put in the diary as under:-
INVESTIGATION DIARY (LMPS 6)
10.11.2013 Statement of A is received and filed. A3
1000hrs
Signature

12.11.2013 A also informs me that B of such and such address can give
1045hrs information in regard to accused having sold sheep to C.
Signature

The possibility of getting such further evidence cannot then be overlooked.

When property is seized as exhibits an entry must be made in the diary and the
method of final disposal of such property is also to be entered.
If the investigator has himself to give evidence, he must make out a proper
statement of admissible facts and occurrences which he can testify to and this is
filed in Clip A. The diary must reveal what use is made of detectives or
informers, their reports being embodied in the diary. When the docket is
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 perused by superior officers, they must enter any remarks called for or
instruction considered necessary in the diary.
Where such remarks call for action or reply the investigator will make a report
in the diary showing action taken, dealing with each item in sequence and
numbering the paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. If observations contain instruction for
general guidance but not for definite action, then entry “noted” or “will be
complied with in future” is made. The diary must show the date a docket is
received at or sent off from every office where handled, whilst under
investigation.
17.2.4 Crown Witnesses:
The names of the crown witnesses who may be subpoenaed or warned to appear
before court will be written on part of the docket labelled CLIP C under List of
Crown Witnesses.

17.2.5 Exhibits:
List of all seized Exhibits in connection with the case, which may be required
during trial will be written on part of the docket labelled CLIP C under List of
Exhibits.

17.2.6 Index to Documents:

This need only be completed in very important cases. It reflects all documents
found in Clips A, B and C of the docket.

17.2.7 Circulation:
When information is circulated particulars of the facts must be noted in the
diary.
When cases are closed as false, great care must be taken to have outstanding
warrants (arrest and search) cancelled. Officers must be sure that cases closed
as undetected (especially serious cases closed Absconded – Warrant issued) are
not overlooked. After a time it may be possible to elucidate further information
that may justify re-opening the case. Where a case is closed as withdrawn by
police at request of complainant, a signed withdrawal affidavit statement must
be filed in the docket in Clip B.
If a case is closed as a result of accused having absconded and Warrant of his
arrest has been issued, the warrant must be filed in docket in Clip A.
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 No docket is to be filed away finally until it has been carefully checked to
ensure that all necessary circulations and cancellations have been effected and
that exhibits are properly disposed of. The man in charge of the case is
primarily responsible for this, but the Officer Commanding is responsible that
he does it.
Before dockets are put away, they must be marked, “File” and signed by the
officer authorising the filing away of the docket. This endorsement being taken
to imply that all necessary actions have been taken.
Completed dockets are to be sent to the district of origin (i.e.) the place where
R.C.I. opened), such dispatch being noted in the diary. The officer in charge of
the district of origin must satisfy himself that the docket is in order before filing
it.
If complainant in a case that is not sent for trial wants to know the result of
investigation, he should be told what the position is but no confidential
information is to be disclosed to him. Care must be taken not to give offence by
discussing the merits of the case, especially when it is doubtful if any offence
has been committed. He may be told that case has been closed as false or
whatever is the proper method of closing.
Although the man to whom a case is allocated is responsible for its proper
investigation, the officer in charge of station is responsible that the work is
properly done and he is required to supervise the investigation and give the
necessary instructions which must be reflected in the investigation diary.

17.2.8 Filing Dockets:

A pigeon hole will be used for the keeping of dockets of concluded cases until
filed away at the end of each month.
Wherever a docket is removed from a file of closed dockets or when a file is
not complete owing to the cases being still outstanding, a sheet of paper must
be placed on top of the file reflecting all outstanding dockets or closed dockets.
In addition whenever a docket is removed, a slip of paper bearing the docket
number and the signature of the police officer by whom it was removed must be
placed in the file where the docket should be.

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17.2.9 Closing of Cases:
In cases where the Criminal Investigation Officer is responsible for the
investigation and detection of crime, the dockets of cases not sent for trial for
any reason and which were investigated by the S.C.U. are supposed to be
closed by the officer in charge of the S.C.U. who shall be guided by the
suggestions from the investigating officer. Those investigated by the uniform
branch are closed by in charge of the branch, who shall be guided as above.
The officer commanding station is expected to call for the submission to him
of all outstanding dockets at least twice a month so that the investigations can
be supervised, and to ensure that time is not wasted on dockets which ought to
be closed.
Before closing a docket, the officer must see that it has been thoroughly
investigated and that all possible sources of information have been exhausted.
If he is satisfied that nothing further can be done and that it would serve no
good purpose to keep the docket open, then he will give instructions (to be
written in the investigation diary) that the docket be closed.
Cases not sent for trial are closed under the following headings, according to
the result of the investigation:-
1. Withdrawn before plea
This heading is used only when a mistake has been made or there is a doubt
as to the identity of the accused. However, if an offence has been reported,
and there is a prima facie case, the police are not to withdraw because they
think a prosecution undesirable. They have no alternative but to refer the
case to the Public Prosecutor and he must decide whether to prosecute or
not.

2. Withdrawn before arrest (or issue of summons at the request of the

complainant)
(a) In trivial cases complainant may be allowed to withdraw the charge if the
matter has not yet been referred to the public prosecutor. This must not be
permitted in serious cases or where it is in the interest of public justice that
the charge be proceeded with.

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 (b) Before allowing the charge to be withdrawn, the investigating officer
must satisfy himself that there has been no attempt at compounding and the
complainant must be made to sign a withdrawal, stating his reasons
therefore.

(c) If the complainant wishes to withdraw after the case has been referred to
the Public Prosecutor, he must be referred to the Public Prosecutor.

(d) The police must never suggest to a complainant that he withdraws a

charge.

3. Undetected
(a) When the investigation has failed to disclose the offender and it is clear
that the offence was actually committed, the case must be closed undetected.
(b) In cases of stock theft, there may be a doubt if theft really occurred, but
unless the missing stock or a substantial portion of it has actually been
recovered, or where the complainant has undoubtedly made a mistake, then
the stock are presumed to be stolen and the case is closed undetected.
(c) If a warrant has been issued for the arrest of a known person who cannot
be located, the case must be closed, Absconded – Warrant Issued, but if a
warrant has been issued for arrest of an unknown person, it is simply closed
undetected. The only reason for distinction is to facilitate looking the case up
later on, when efforts to locate the accused are again made after the case has
been closed.

4. Found false on Enquiry:

This classification is only used when it is clear from the investigation that no
offence has been committed, as where property thought to have been stolen
is found to have been mislaid, or stock reported stolen has been found
straying or dead in the veldt.
Care must be taken that docket are closed under the proper headings
applicable, and on no account are those which ought to be closed as
undetected or absconded - Warrant Issued to be closed under any other
heading.

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 The Officer Commanding Station is authorized to close all dockets finalized in
court.
The District Commissioner will be personally responsible for the closing of all
other dockets for all stations in his district, other than cases being dealt with by
the Criminal Investigation Division.
The under mentioned list of offences is for his guidance, but is in no way
obligatory in cases where a successful prosecution might still ensue. In all other
cases, he should use his discretion, bearing in mind the undesirability of
retaining a large number of open dockets, where the chances of successful
prosecution are limited.
1. Minor statutory offences are closed when three months have elapsed.
2. Stock Theft cases, where there is little or no hope of bringing the case to a
successful conclusion, will be closed after three months.
3. Murder dockets should not be closed as murder is not barred by any lapse of
time. Section 22 of Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act No. 9 of 1981 is
instructive in this regard.
4. The Officer Commanding Criminal Investigation Division, will be personally
responsible for the closing of dockets dealt with by the Criminal Investigation
Division formations.

17.3 GOVERNMENT GAZETTES

Government Gazettes will be filed in sequence. They will be cross-referenced
against each other and cross-referenced against Laws of Lesotho where
necessary.
They will be available for use by all members of the service at all times.
Lectures on new laws promulgated will be given to all members by the officers
commanding or other delegated member.

17.4 INCREMENTS AND RE-ENGAGEMENT BOOK

Details of the dates of increments due and re-engagement dates will be
maintained in this book for all personnel on strength.
Officers commanding will ensure that these matters are brought up with Police
Headquarters in plenty of time before the due dates.

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17.5 OFFICE DIARIES
Office diaries should be kept up to date and should contain a record of events at
a station.

17.6 PLAIN CLOTHES ALLOWANCE BOOK

Details of all plain clothes duties performed by members of the uniform branch
will be maintained in this book.
District Commissioners require prior authority from Police Headquarters before
they employ Uniform Branch personnel on any extended period in plain
clothes.
Where such personnel are employed for short periods, Police Headquarters
must be informed and authority sought to pay plain clothes allowance.

17.7 GENERAL ORDERS

General orders will be made available to all personnel. They should be
amended as and when amendments are notified.

17.8 SADDLERY REGISTER

All items of saddler will be entered in this register, together with receipts of
new items, items for board, items for repair, etc.
The balance should agree with items on charge and the Officer Commanding
should regularly inspect to ensure he has sufficient serviceable saddler for
districts use.

17.9 SHOEING REGISTER

The farrier should be responsible for ensuring that all horses are regularly and
where necessary re-shoed.
A record will be kept in the shoeing register which should be regularly
inspected by the Officer Commanding Station.

17.10 EQUINE DUTY ROSTER

A record of all patrols performed by equines must be accurately kept in the
register. It should be regularly inspected by the Officer Commanding who
should ensure that horses are used in rotation and that an unfair burden of work
is not placed on a few riding horses.

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17.11 GRAIN AND FORAGE LEDGER
An accurate record of receipts and issues of grain and fodder must be
maintained.
Care should be taken that stocks are not allowed to become exhausted
particularly in winter and periods of drought.

17.12 TAKING OF FINGERPRINTS

NOTE: The word “Bureau” refers to the LMPS Fingerprints Bureau, Maseru.
The efficiency of finger print system of a Police Service is, to a greater extent,
dependent upon the cooperation the Bureau technicians receive from the
officers in the Districts who record the impression, particulars and, later, the
results of trial of all persons fingerprinted.
The technicians’ work of classification is made much easier if the impressions
taken by district personnel are clear, well-defined and properly rolled.
A poorly rolled print, although clear and well-defined, may not contain the
necessary area required for comparison with a print found at a scene of crime.

17.12.1 FINGERPRINT FORMS

a) LMPS 35A is used for rollout of male fingerprints. It is black and white in
colour.
b) LMPS 35B is used for rollout of female fingerprints. It is red and white in
colour.
c) LMPS 35C is used for police clearance applicants, both male and female.
d) LMPS 35D is used for elimination and comparison purposes for finger
and/or palm prints.
e) LMPS 31 is used for single fingerprint.
f) LMPS 37 is the Criminal Record Offences (CRO) file used for filing the
suspect’s fingerprints and footprints.
g) LMPS 34A is used for recording results of the search by the Bureau and
returning results of trial.
h) LMPS 84 is used for court chart generation.
i) LMPS 85 is used for recording palm prints.

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17.12.2 REQUIREMENTS
a) Fingerprints must be taken in DUPLICATE on form LMPS 35, of all
persons arrested or summoned to Court (PART XIV of the Criminal
Procedure and Evidence Act No. 9 of 1981) in respect of all offences.
b) However, with regard to persons charged with the following offences, :-
- house breaking w/i to steal and theft, robbery and theft, stock theft, car
theft etc, fingerprints will be taken in triplicate, on form LMPS 35.
In addition, one set of fingerprints will be taken on form LMPS 31 –
(SINGLE FINGERPRINT CARD).

17.12.3 DISPOSAL
Where fingerprints have been taken in duplicate, both sets will be forwarded to
the Bureau which will retain both sets, one in the archives and the remaining set
being classified and filed in the available district files.

17.12.4 DEAD BODIES

Where dead bodies cannot be identified, four sets of prints of the deceased must
be taken and sent to the Bureau.

17.12.5 RESULTS OF SEARCH

By the Bureau: Form LMPS 34 in quadruplicate, showing previous convictions, or
in duplicate where no previous convictions are on file, will be dispatched to the
district concerned.

17.12.6 ACTION BY DISTRICTS

Upon receipt of form LMPS 34, this will immediately be filed in the R.C.I.
docket relating to the persons whose prints have been taken. The form LMPS
34 will be received in respect of each case.

Where a charge is withdrawn for any reason, one copy of LMPS 34 will be
returned to the Bureau immediately, reflecting this fact, and the remainder will
be filed in the docket.

17.12.7 DISTRIBUTION – LMPS 34

(i) First copy to be returned to the Bureau
(ii) Second copy to be attached to committal Warrant;
(iii) Third copy has been handed in forms part of the record of the case;

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 (iv) Fourth copy filed in CIR docket.

NOTE: Where the accused is found not guilty;

One copy will be returned to the Bureau and the remaining copy will be filed in
the docket.

17.12.8 RECORDING RESULTS OF TRIAL

It is of vital importance to ensure that;
a) The sentence is recorded exactly as shown in the Court Criminal Record
Register;
b) The offence, of which the accused is finally found guilty is recorded;
c) That the thumb print of the accused is placed in the space provided at the
base of the previous conviction forms, after the conviction has been
recorded.
NOTE:
(i) This last requirement is particularly important to the Bureau technicians as
it provides a check that the prisoner whose convictions have been
recorded, is in fact the same person whose fingerprints were originally
submitted;
(ii) The police officer filling in the details of the result of the trial, and who
therefore signs at the bottom of the form, will be held responsible for the
correct completion of the form and the particulars contained thereon, as
set out in parts (a), (b) and (c) above.

17.12.9 PROOF OF PREVIOUS CONVICTION

The LMPS 34 forms will contain a record of previous convictions supported by
fingerprint forms filed in the Bureau, therefore, proof of previous convictions must
be obtained, when required, from fingerprints upon this Bureau’s files by LMPS
technician.

17.12.10 DISTRIBUTION
The distribution of forms must be carried out promptly in order that each
department receives its information without delay and unnecessary
correspondence.

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 In order to build up an efficient Bureau, the requirements as set out above must
be carefully complied with.

17.12.11 STATUTORY OFFENCES

In completing forms LMPS 35 and 34 it is not sufficient to quote only the Act
Number and section in Statutory Offences. The actual crime committed must
also be recorded briefly, e.g. contravening section8 (1)of the Sexual Offences
Act No.3 of 2003– “Child Molestation”

17.12.12 REMINDER FORMS

It must be obvious to all ranks of the service that once an accused person has
been fingerprinted and the forms submitted to the Bureau, the process must be
followed to a conclusion for that particular offence. Therefore, the Bureau must
be informed as soon as possible as to what action has been taken, by the
appropriate endorsement upon the previous conviction form LMPS 34.

17.12.13 ENDORSEMENT WHEN THERE IS A RESULT OTHER THAN A

CONVICTION
Endorsements are given below and should be used for appropriate occasions.

“Accused acquitted – not guilty and discharged.”

“Charge withdrawn by Public Prosecutor.”

“Charge withdrawn by police.”

“Case closed – insufficient evidence.”

“Case closed – evidence no longer available.”

“Case closed - undetected” is ludicrous because, where fingerprints were taken

from a suspect, the case against that particular person cannot be closed
undetected. He is probably in custody, but if the case is not prosecuted for any
reason, one of the appropriate endorsements may be used upon a docket, such
as “closed insufficient evidence,” etc, will be used.

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17.12.14 STATION FINGERPRINTING RESPONSIBILITY
a) It is the duty of the investigating officer to take or cause to be taken
fingerprints of a person he has arrested for any crime alleged to have been
committed by that person.
b) Fingerprints must be taken and the relevant particulars completed on the
form, with the minimum of delay and before the suspect is locked in the
cells, unless exceptional circumstances prevent such a course being
followed.
c) In all cases where a previous conviction record sheet from either or both
Bureau should accompany the committal warrant, but is not available for the
purpose, the Prosecutor must ask the Clerk of Court to endorse on the
committal warrant the name of the police station and the R.C.I. number. This
must be done without fail as it is very important. The Prosecutor will then
endorse the docket of the case to the effect that previous conviction forms
have not yet been supplied to the prison authorities, and will see that they are
supplied as soon as they are available.
d) The completed forms must be dispatched to the LMPS Criminal Bureau,
Maseru without delay.
e) The Station in charge will be held responsible for the taking of all
fingerprints at this station, and for the correctness of the particulars
contained upon the forms. He must therefore ensure that members at his
station are fully conversant with all the requirements in regard to the correct
recording and dispatch of fingerprints to the bureau. He shall also ensure
that prints are forwarded without delay.
f) He will be held responsible for the correct use and completion by members
of his station, of record sheets issued to his station by the Bureau.
g) Fingerprints forms must not be folded so that a sharp crease is formed, as
this would result in the form becoming torn due to daily handling of the
Bureau files. Torn forms must not be used under any circumstances.
h) Should the Bureau require the retaking of the fingerprints of any person who
has meanwhile been brought to trial and been acquitted or paid a fine, and
has been released from custody, he is NOT to be taken back into custody for
the purpose of retaking his fingerprints. The Bureau must be notified of what
has transpired and the rejected forms returned to the Bureau.

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 i) When it is known to the police that a suspect has previous convictions, this
information must be endorsed upon the fingerprint form in the “Remarks”
space.
j) It is most important to immediately notify the Bureau quoting both Bureau
reference numbers, together with the station C.I.R. and offence when a
conviction is changed, quashed upon review or appeal; or a suspended
sentence is brought into operation; or a death sentence is commuted, or the
sentence varied in any way.
k) Where an accused person has been summoned to court, an order regarding
the taking of his fingerprints must be obtained while he is in the custody of
that court, i.e. after he has pleaded but before the court gives its finding.

17.12.15 IMMEDIATE REQUEST FOR SEARCH RESULTS

a) Where owing to distance or other circumstances a reply from the Bureau
may not reach a station in time, a request for a result of search should be sent
through fax, email or telephone. Then, if the person concerned is found
guilty by the court, and the reply from the Bureau indicates that there is a
previous conviction recorded, a remand must be asked for to await the
arrival of the record sheet, so that it may be placed before the court before
sentence is passed.
b) It should be noted that this procedure can only be followed in cases where
the fingerprints of the accused have been dispatched to and received by the
bureau. Search on a name alone will not be undertaken.

17.12.16 COMPLETION OF FORMS

a) The fingerprints submitted must be the best that can be obtained from the
person being fingerprinted.
b) The sex and the nationality of the person fingerprinted must be stated.
c) The particulars entered on the form must be correct in all details.
d) Once all the finger impressions have been taken and the particulars recorded,
the thumb-print of the suspect must finally be imprinted in the space
provided on the form. If for any reason it is not possible to take a thumbprint
then any finger may be used, provided the form is endorsed to that effect. It
is of great importance that this final thumbprint be taken after all the other
details have been completed.

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NOTE: If the accused has been charged with a number of R.C.I.s and for the
purpose of sentence, these R.C.I.s are grouped together as counts, then the Bureau
forms relating to those R.C.I.s should be endorsed “WITHDRAWN BY POLICE”
with date reflected as in the R.C.I. Register.

17.13 SUSPECT DOSSIERS

Suspect Dossiers will be opened for criminals domiciled in the territory who
have been convicted of the following offences:-

Crime Number of Convictions

 Arson 1
 Car Theft 1
 Corruption 1
 Drugs 1
 Precious Stone Dealing 1
 Fraud 1
 House Breaking 1
 Human Trafficking 1
 Murder 1
 Attempted Murder 1
 Unlawful Possession of Firearms 1
 Receiving Stolen Property 1
 Robbery 1
 Armed Robbery 1
 Sexual Offence 1
 Stock theft 1
 Theft 1

Suspect Dossiers will also be opened for accomplice witnesses who have given
evidence in Murder cases on more than one occasion.

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17.13.1 CONTENTS OF SUSPECT DOSSIERS
Suspect Dossiers are to be kept in the same manner as an ordinary docket. Clip
A should contain L.M.P.S 53 which includes the following particulars:-
 Names
 Alias
 Tribe
 Address
 Nationality
 Place of birth
 Associates
 Description
 Type of crime usually committed
 Modus operandi

Clip A - should also contain the following forms:-

a) Photograph
b) Criminal History LMPS 43
c) Criminal Bureau and S.C.U. circular numbers
d) Forms LMPS 55 and LMPS 56

Clip “B” - Should contain correspondence and other papers dealing with the
suspect.

Clip “C” - Diary of events showing movements of suspect, change of address,

action taken to locate him etc.

17.13.2 TRANSFER OF SUSPECTS

When a suspect is convicted to imprisonment, his dossier is to be removed from
the action list. Where the suspect is sentenced to imprisonment and transferred
to Central Prison Maseru, the dossier should be forwarded to Police
Headquarters (ACP CIS). In all cases a copy of dossier will be retained by each
district.

Upon the expiration of the sentence in the Central Prison, the dossier will be
returned to the district concerned, by Police Headquarters, together with form

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 LMPS 55 showing the date of release etc. The district will then make contact
with the suspect.

In other cases the District will return the dossier to the active list and make
contact with the suspect in the normal way.

17.13.3 SUSPENSE FILE

Should a suspect not relapse into any crime after a period of five years from the
date of release from prison, his docket will be forwarded to Police Headquarters
where it will be placed in a suspense file.

If at a later date the suspect should become active, the docket will be returned
to the district to be placed on the active file.

17.13.4 RETURNS
a) At the end of each quarter all stations will submit to Police Headquarters a
return of all suspect dossiers maintained at the station, furnishing the
following particulars in respect of each dossier:-
1. S.D. Serial Number and fingerprint number
2. Name of suspect
3. Description of suspect
4. Criminal History of suspect
5. Name of Station

b) On receipt of Form LMPS 55 (Change of address) at the Headquarters,

they will be checked with index referred to above. If a suspect dossier is
held in respect of any of those prisoners released from gaol and the latter
intends taking up residence in the same area, the dossier will be returned to
the station with Form LMPS 55. If on the other hand, he intends taking up
residence in another district, the dossier will be sent to the station
concerned.

c) Should the occasion arise where a suspect changes his active address when
active, the station holding the dossier will transfer it to the station in the
area to which the suspect has moved, at the same time sending the Form
LMPS 55 to Police Headquarters notifying the transfer, for Police
Headquarters index to be suitably amended.

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 d) All suspect dossiers will bear the criminal Bureau Dossier Number and
index of such numbers in numerical order will be maintained at Police
Headquarters. This number will be quoted in all correspondence relating to
suspects. An alphabetical index of the suspect dossiers will also be kept at
Police Headquarters. The names of the suspect and all aliases under which
the suspect is or has been known to have been convicted will be indexed,
as also the crime in respect of which the suspect has been convicted. The
alphabetical index will also be divided up into districts.

17.13.5 SUPERVISION OF SUSPECTS

a) Suspects in the active files should be contacted at least once a month,
except where any particular suspect warrants greater surveillance, when he
should be contacted more frequently in a very tactful manner, without
harassing or embarrassing individuals.
It must not be done in such a manner as to make it difficult for the suspect
to rehabilitate himself. Members of the LMPS employed on this duty must
bear in mind the possibility of suspects operating in the area adjoining
those where they are residents, consequently the closest collaboration in
this regard between adjoining areas is essential.
b) Should a suspect leave his place of residence without notifying change of
address and he cannot be traced the Bureau must be notified of the fact,
quoting the Bureau dossier number so that whereabouts can be established
in the event of being arrested in connection with some crime. The Bureau
will notify the station carrying the suspect dossier of the arrest.

c) Should a suspect not put in an appearance at his proposed place of

residence within thirty days of receipt of Form LMPS 55 or 56, similar
action as in (b) should be taken by station concerned

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SECTION 18
CORREPONDENCE: ORDERS: GAZETTES: RETURNS:
REPORTS
The following method of recording and numbering correspondence will be
employed at all District headquarters. Smaller stations will use a modified
system as approved by Police Headquarters.

No divergence from the system outlined below will be introduced without the
authority of the Commissioner of Police.

 The use of miscellaneous or general files will not be allowed.

 Letters on official matters addressed by individuals to Senior Police

Officers or Senior Officers of any other Government Departments will be
forwarded through Officers in Charge.

 All letters and minutes, other than Departmental Reports if not signed by
the Officer Commanding will be signed “for Officer Commanding”. This
instruction applies alike to correspondence from S.C.U. officers,
Prosecutors, and all other officers on a station subordinate to the Officer
Commanding.

 All petitions, representations, etc., of a public or private nature intended

for members of the Government will be forwarded through the
Commissioner of Police in the urban areas, while in the rural areas shall
be the Headman.

 A copy of all fax, radio messages and letters will be retained and placed
on the appropriate file. Original correspondence shall not be returned
with a reply thereon; inward correspondence should be filed for record
and a reply thereto made the subject of a separate letter.

 Each communication must be confined to a single subject matter which

should be shortly stated as a heading to it. It is important that this
heading should properly describe the subject of the communication.

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 The reference number and date of any previous correspondence on the
same subject will be quoted immediately below the subject heading.

 Communications to Police Headquarters should normally be directed

through the REGIPOL. In cases of urgency, however, they may be made
direct to Police Headquarters, provided a copy is forwarded to the
REGIPOL.

 Official records and government correspondence will not be

communicated to any member of the public. Where such communication
is required, it will be done by an official letter.

 No officer should be allowed to have access to files and correspondence

concerning him.

 Communication with other Government Departments and official

correspondence within LMPS will be by SAVINGRAMs and MEMOs
respectively.

 Correspondence from officers on matters affecting them as individuals

will take form of letters.

 Communication with members of the public will take the form of letters.
All letters of this nature will use the formal method of address, i.e.
commencing “Sir: and terminating “I am, Sir, Your obedient servant”.

 All correspondence will be dealt with and replied to with the least
possible delay in accordance with the dictates of the LMPS Service
Charter.

 Where correspondence is in the form of handwriting, all names and

places will be printed.

 The Service number will be quoted on all correspondence concerning

members of the LMPS, below the rank of Superintendent of Police.

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18.1 CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS
One of the following classifications will be used when it is considered
necessary to limit the circulation of any correspondence:-
“Top secret”
“Secret”
“Confidential”
“Restricted”

18.2 POLICE ORDERS

Orders affecting the administration of the LMPS will be issued from the Police
Headquarters only under one of the following titles. These orders will be issued
in accordance with the provisions of the section 13(2) of Police Service Act
No.7 of 1998.

18.3 STANDING ORDERS

They will contain only orders and instructions of a permanent nature and will
be regarded as constituting basic rules for the Administration of the LMPS.
Standing Orders are not intended to deal with all duties that members of the
Police Service are required to perform, but are issued with a view to ensuring
efficiency and uniformity of procedure at all stations. Standing Orders will be
issued as the occasion arises. Additions and amendments will be issued as the
occasion arises in Service Orders Part I, and amendment slips will be issued
annually for amending permanent Standing Orders.

18.4 SERVICE ORDERS

Service Orders will be issued weekly in two parts – Part I, Administration, and
Part II, Personnel. Part I will contain Orders and instructions of a temporary
nature applying to some specific occasion or event and will include the serial
numbers and distribution of any Police Service Confidential Orders or Police
Service Secret Order issued during the week, as well as a list of Government
Circulars issued and Notices of general interest, and amendments to Standing
Orders.

Part II will be divided into three sections

(a) Senior Officers

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 (b) Subordinate Officers
(c) Civilian Staff

And will include all casualties affecting the personnel of the LMPS under the
following:-
(a) Strength Increase
(b) Strength Decrease
(c) Appointments
(d) Postings
(e) Transfers
(f) Promotions
(g) Leave
(h) Hospitalisation
(i) Increments
(j) Allowances
(k) Rentals
(l) Pensions and Gratuities
(m) Interdictions
(n) Commendations and Awards
(o) Discipline
(p) Obituary

In addition to the normal weekly issue of Service Orders, Special Service

Orders may be issued when the occasion demands.

18.5 POLICE SERVICE CONFIDENTIAL ORDERS

These will contain all orders and instructions concerning Police Service, issued
from Police Headquarters, which for reason of security need only a limited
circulation.

18.6 POLICE SERVICE ORDERS

These will contain all orders and instructions concerning the Police Service, issued
from Police Headquarters, which are intended to be limited in circulation.

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18.7 DISTRIBUTION
Standing Orders and Service Orders will be issued to all District Headquarters,
which will distribute them to their Stations and Police Posts.

Police Service Confidential Orders and Secret Orders will be issued as the
occasion demands. The serial number, date and distribution of these orders will be
published in Service Orders, Part I, in order that Officers may check the receipt of
these Orders by all formations to which they have been issued.

18.8 SERIAL NUMBERS, FILING AND AMENDMENTS

Each set of orders will be given separate serial numbers. Service Orders, Police
Service Confidential Orders and Police Service Secret Orders will be numbered
serially for the year of issue, the first Order issued in the year being number one.

18.9 ABBREVIATIONS
When Orders are referred to in abbreviated form in routine correspondence, this
will be done in the following manner:-

Standing Orders............................................... S.O. No. I

Service Orders.................................................. S.O. Part I or Part II

Service Confidential Orders............................. S.C.O. No. 3/55

Service Secret Orders........................................ S.S.O. No. 4/55

18.10 ANNUAL CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS

Forms LMPS 24, completed in original only, is to reach Police Headquarters
through REGIPOLS by 1st January, each year.

Officers are also reminded that Confidential Report forms as opposed to Annual
Confidential Reports, LMPS 24, must always be submitted in respect of men
transferred, or when there is a change of district command.

18.11 SERVICE ORGANISATION

To achieve some uniformity in Police communications, the following
breakdown is to be noted by all ranks:-

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 (i) Police Headquaters Branches : Human Resource, Police Training
College, Special Operations Unit and Criminal Investigations
Services.
(ii) Police Regions : Central Region, North Region and South Region.
(iii) Police Districts: Maseru Urban, Maseru Rural, Thaba-Tseka,
Mokhotlong, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Berea, Mafeteng, Mohale’s-hoek,
Quthing and Qacha’s Nek.

18.12 MEMORANDUMS
Memorandums will follow this pattern and will be addressed as follows:-
From: COMPOL S.O. TRAINING
To: REGIPOLS, DISPOLS, DDT AND HEADS OF UNITS
Ref: CPHQ/X/13
Date: 20th December, 2013.

18.13 RADIO MESSAGES

Radio messages will be addressed as follows:-
From: COMPOL HRO
To: District Commissioners (DISPOLS)
DISPOLS Leribe, Qacha’s Nek, Deputy Director Training, O/Cs SOU, TSS,
DDT, SSU, CIDAdmin. and Heads of Units.
Info: ACPs, Director Training and REGIPOLS

18.14 POLICE GAZETTES

On receipt at stations of the Gazettes, items of local interest will be marked and
brought to the attention of all ranks on the station.

Copies of the Gazettes will be made freely available to all ranks who must be
ordered to study them and take notes in their pocket books. When note books
are inspected, attention will be paid to ensure that this order is being complied
with.

The Officer Commanding S.C.U. will decide whether or not to publish

information forwarded from Districts for inclusion in the Gazettes. The
publication of vague information of little value must be avoided.

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 One copy of the gazettes will be accurately and promptly amended in
accordance with the published cancellations, amendments, etc, and will be
filed.

18.15 RETURNS
The under mentioned returns, checked and signed by officers in charge of the
stations, will be submitted with regularity and correctness as they become due.

18.15.1 SECRET MONTHLY RETURN TO COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

(to be submitted through REGIPOLS)

SERIOUS INCIDENTS

SECURITY SITUATIONS

CRIME REPORTED

Date ................................................

DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

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18.15.2 MONTHLY REPORT TO COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
(to be submitted through REGIPOLs)

1. EXPENDITURE (Copies of vouchers attached)

Item No. Title Expenditure Balance

Certified dealt with .....................................................Accountant PHQ

2. POLICE REWARDS FUND

F.O. No. Amount Collected Defaulters No. and Name Receipt No.

Certified dealt with ........................................................Accountant PHQ

3. NARCOTICS RETURN
Type Weight Value R.C.I. Destruction
Certificate

Certified dealt with ………………………………………O/C S.C.U.

4. AMENDMENT OF LAW BOOKS

Certified that the Laws of Lesotho have been amended from Gazettes
during the month.

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5. CRIME RETURN
The Crime Return is forwarded herewith

6. PRESENT STRENTH RETURN

a) PERSONNEL

Males Females Sub-totals

Senior Officers
Subordinate Officers
Non-Commissioned Officers
Police Constables
Civilian Staff
Grant Total

b) ANIMALS

Stallions Mares Sub-totals

Horses
Mules
Grant Total

c) MOTOR VEHICLES

Sub-totals
Buses
Cars
Taxis
Trucks
Vans
Grant Total

Page 179 of 226

 d) BIKES

Sub-totals
Bicycles
Motorbikes
Grant Total

7. ARMS AND AMMUNITION RETURN

(a) Arms:

Serial No. Calibre Condition Total Arms

Grand Total

(b) Ammunition:

Calibre Condition Sub-total

Ammunition

Grand Total

Certified that Arms and Ammunition have been checked and are correct and
that weapons are clean and serviceable.

Date: …………………………….............
District/Station Commissioner

Page 180 of 226

18.15.3 SECRET ANNUAL RETURNS TO COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
(to be submitted through REGIPOLS)
Attached at

1) Annual Report Appendix A

2) List of men in District as at 31st March “ B
3) List of horses in District as at 31st March “ C
4) Arms and Ammunition “ D
5) List of vehicles in District as at 31st March “ E
6) List of radios receiving/transmitting equipment in
District as at 31st March “ F
7) List of quarters available in District “ G
8) Statement of new building requirements in
forthcoming financial year “ H
9) Statement of minor works and repairs required
for buildings in forthcoming financial year “ I
10) List of any other requirements for the
forthcoming financial year which were not
estimated for in the current year “ J
11) List of the most important requirements for
the District during the coming year “ K
12) Comments of Officer Commanding District.

District Commissioner

Page 181 of 226

18.15.4 CRIME RETURNS: L.M.P.S 20 AND L.M.P.S 21
(Submission of Monthly Returns)

Individual Police Stations will complete both forms L.M.P.S 20 and L.M.P.S 21
in quadruplicate, complying strictly with the instructions contained in this
order. When complete, the Station in charge will check and certify the figures
correct. One copy will be filed as at present at the Station, and the remaining
two forwarded to the District Headquarters.

District Headquarters will, on receipt of the forms quoted in the preceding

paragraph, prepare a consolidated return for the whole district (in the form of
normal LMPS 20/21). The figure will be the total for the District for each crime
quoted. The consolidated return will be prepared in duplicate, and to each copy
will be annexed one copy of each Station return. The District will file one copy
on the District file and forward one copy, together with annexed Station returns
for all stations in the District, to Police Headquarters, after the District
Commissioner has checked the forms and certified the consolidated return
correct.

The District Commissioner will ensure that all the Station crime returns have
been received and that they have been certified correct.

Page 182 of 226

FORM L.M.P.S 20
In preparing the return, it is necessary to bear the following points in mind:

(a) It should be emphasized that each charge shown in the R.C.I. Register
should appear as a separate offence on Form L.M.P.S 20,

(b) Column 1 will show all cases remitted by the Attorney-General under
increased or ordinary jurisdiction. It is important that all Remitted Cases
must have a note in the remarks column showing when the case was
reported and the original charge, for example, (Column 1 Culpable
Homicide refers to January Column 3 Murder R.C.I. No.1/1/63),

(c) Column 2 will show all cases brought forward from the previous month
and should equal column 15 of the previous month’s return,

(d) Column 3 will show all cases awaiting trial and brought forward from
previous month. Again, column 3 will equal column 16 of the previous
month’s return,

(e) Column 4 will show all cases reported during the month,

(f) Column 5 should reflect all cases that were found on investigation to be
matters not connected with criminal offences.

(g) Column 6 should reflect all false complaints, etc. (reflected in the R.C.I.),

(h) Column 7 should reflect all charges not accepted for investigation owing
to insufficiency of evidence (reflected in the R.C.I.),

(i) Column 8 is the Total number of cases accepted and should equal
Column 9 – 18, and should equal columns 1 – 4 less columns 5 – 7,

(j) It will therefore be seen that columns 1, 2, 3 and 4 will equal columns 5,
6, 7 and 8, and column 8 will equal columns 9 to 18,

(k) Columns 9 to 12 are self-explanatory,

(l) The heading to column 13 will be amended by deleting the words

“Without Conviction”, and will now read “Case proved and Order

Page 183 of 226

 made”. Column 13 will reflect all “Bound Over” and “Caution”
sentences imposed by the Subordinates Courts,

(m) Column 14 will reflect cases closed undetected, including cases closed –
accused absconded; whereabouts unknown; evidence no longer available;
etc. This means all cases closed for reasons which cannot be classified in
any other column between 9 and 18. Where a case is reopened after
having been closed, in column 14 it will be necessary to note the fact in
the Remarks column to explain the discrepancy between columns 15 or
16 of the previous month and column 2 or 3 of the current month, e.g.
“R.C.I. 21/2/63, Closed column14, June 1963, re-opened column 2
January, 1964”,

(n) Columns 15 to 17 are self-explanatory,

(o) The present heading to column 18 will be deleted and the following
words substituted there for “Cases Transferred to Basotho Courts”.
Column 18 will now reflect only cases transferred to Basotho Courts.
“Bound Over” and “Caution” sentences imposed by Subordinate Courts
will be shown in column 13 as stated in paragraph (1) above.

Page 184 of 226

FORM L.M.P.S 21
Care must be taken in drawing up the returns to ensure that for every case
appearing in columns 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, and 18 of L.M.P.S 20, at least one
person appears in the related column in Form L.M.P.S 21.

Form L.M.P.S 21 is amended as follows;

The headings to columns 22 to 25 to be deleted and the following heading

substituted therefore “Caution and Bound Over sentences imposed by
Subordinate Courts”. These columns will now reflect all persons “Cautioned”
or “Bound Over” by Subordinate Courts.

The headings to column 26 to 29 to be deleted and the following headings

substituted therefore “Transferred to Basotho Courts”. These columns will now
reflect all persons sent for trial before Basotho Courts. “Bound Over” and
“Caution” sentences imposed by Subordinate Courts will be shown in columns
22 – 25 as stated in the preceding paragraph.

Where sentences are imposed involving a fine with the alternative of

imprisonment, these sentences should be shown as imprisonment unless it is
known that the fine was paid immediately. Where sentences are imposed of fine
and imprisonment, or imprisonment and whipping, these should be shown as
imprisonment.

Page 185 of 226

18.16 REPORTS
18.16.1 ADVERSE REPORTS
When an adverse report is made on a Police Officer by a Senior Officer, the
substance of the report will be communicated to the officer reported upon if the
report draws attention to shortcomings or faults which it may be within the
officer’s power to amend.

18.16.2 IMMEDIATE REPORTS

An immediate report will be made to the Region and subsequently to Police
Headquarters, of any matter occurring within a District of an unusual serious
nature, including crimes, disturbances, etc.

18.16.3 INJURIES REPORTS

Any injuries sustained by members of the Police Service in the execution of
their duties shall be reported to Police Headquarters as soon as possible. District
Commissioners or Officers Commanding Stations/Posts, should also submit
detailed reports which depict what actually transpired. This reports shall cover
claims in cases where injured members are eligible for compensation.

18.16.4 FIREARMS REPORT

In any case where Police resorted to the use of firearms and resulted into the
injury or death of a person, the fact with details, will be reported to Police
Headquarters immediately.

Page 186 of 226

 SECTION 19
DRESS REGULATIONS, CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
19.1 RANK STRUCTURE AND BADGES OF RANKS WITHIN LMPS
A rank is the relationship between units that refer to different values of some
variable underlying property such as the following:
 Degree;
 Grade;

 Relative position;
 Social position; and Stratum.

A badge is a distinctive emblem worn as a mark of office, membership,

achievement, licensed employment.

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (COMPOL)

Epaulettes: Laurel Wreath Surmounted by crossed tip-staves, a star and a

crown above on both shoulders.
Gorgets: Two golden oak leaves at both ends of jacket or shirt collar.
Hat: Golden head-band and two lines of gold oak leaves on the peak/brim.

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (DCP)

Epaulettes: Laurel wreath surmounted by crossed tip-staves and a crown

above on both shoulders.
Gorgets: Two golden oak leaves at both ends of jacket or shirt collar.

Page 187 of 226

Hat: Golden head-band and two lines of gold oak leaves on the peak/brim.

SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (SACP)

Epaulettes: Laurel wreath surmounted by crossed tip-staves and a star

above on both shoulders.
Gorgets: Twisted golden rope at both ends of jacket or shirt collar.
Hat: Golden head-band and one line of gold oak leaves on the peak/brim.

ASSISSTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (ACP)

Epaulettes: Laurel wreath surmounted by crossed tip-staves on both

shoulders.
Gorgets: Twisted golden rope at both ends of jacket or shirt collar.
Hat: Golden head-band and one line of gold oak leaves on the peak/brim.

SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT(SSP)

Epaulettes: A star and a crown above on both shoulders.

Gorgets: Twisted golden rope at both ends of jacket or shirt collar.

Page 188 of 226

Hat: Golden head-band and one line of gold oak leaves on the peak/brim.

SUPERINTENDENT (SUPT)

Epaulettes: A crown on both shoulders.

Gorgets: Single golden stripe at both ends of jacket or shirt collar.
Hat: Navy blue and gold checked head-band and gold band on the
peak/brim.

SENIOR INSPECTOR (S/INSP)

Epaulettes: Three stars on both shoulders.

Gorgets: LMPS Emblem at both ends of jacket or shirt collar.
Hat: Navy blue and gold checked head-band and gold band on the
peak/brim.

INSPECTOR (INSP)

Epaulettes: Two stars on both shoulders.

Gorgets: LMPS Emblem at both ends of jacket or shirt collar.

Page 189 of 226

Hat: Navy blue and gold checked head-band and plain navy blue peak/brim.

SUB-INSPECTOR (SUB-INSP)
Epaulettes: One star on both shoulders.
Gorgets: LMPS Emblem at both ends of jacket or shirt collar.
Hat: Navy blue and gold checked head-band and plain navy blue peak/brim.

SERGEANT SGT

Epaulettes: Three Chevrons on either shoulders or forearms.

Gorgets: Nil
Hat: Navy blue and gold checked head-band and black shiny peak/brim (for
males only).

LANCE-SERGEANT (L/SGT)
Epaulettes: Two Chevrons on either shoulders or forearms.
Gorgets: Nil
Hat: Navy blue and gold checked head-band and black shiny peak/brim (for
males only).

Page 190 of 226

 POLICE CONSTABLE (P/C)

Epaulettes: L.M.P.S. shoulder title on both shoulders.

Gorgets: Nil
Hat: Navy blue and gold checked head-band and black shiny peak/brim.

Generally, the rank structure and badges of ranks mark as identity regarding
the office and the responsibility one holds. Those responsibilities change
from time to time as officers get promotions to the higher ranks. For
example, when police constables are promoted to the rank of lance sergeant,
their responsibilities and badges also change.

19.2 WORKING DRESS

Trousers
Jacket
Short Sleeves Shirt
Jersey
Black Boots
Cap/ Barrettes
Rain Coat
Woollen Hat
Stable Belt
Leather Gloves
Shoulder Flash
Epaulettes

Page 191 of 226

 Lanyard
Tonfa/ Whipstick
Combat/ Anarok
Identity Card
Name Tag
Medal Ribbons
Handcuffs
Pencil Pocket Notebook
Police Officer’s Guide Manual
Kit Bag
Water Bottle and Carrier
Socks
Armlets
White Gloves
Whistle and Whistle Chain

NB: Long sleeve shirt (jacket) is worn without laneyard, gorgets/stars,

medals and name tags and should not be folded on the arms. Short sleeve
shirt is worn with laneyard, gorgets/stars, medals and name tag. Shoulder
flashes are used on both shirts. Jerseys can only be worn inside the jackets
and above the short sleeves. For the Special Operations Unit (SOU), their
colour is camouflage not blue.

19.3 FULL DRESS

Hat/ Cap
White shirt short sleeves
White shirt long sleeves
Jersey

Page 192 of 226

Blue suit (summer/winter)
Tie
Lanyard
Black boots/shoes
Great coat
Rain coat
Sam Browne
Sword with knot
Medals
Epaulettes
Gorgets/Stars
Chevrons
Black socks
Pantyhose
Leather belt
Leather Gloves
Armlets
White Gloves
Hat plastic cover
Shoulder flashes
Whipstick/tonfa/handbag
Name Tag
Identity Card

NB: Short sleeve shirt is worn with a laneyard, epaulettes, shoulder flashes,
and gorgets. Name tag is worn above the right pocket, while medals are

Page 193 of 226

 worn above the left pocket. When a police officer is wearing a jersey, there
is no laneyard.
Long sleeve shirt is worn underneath a suit jacket only with a tie. Then on
the suit everything worn on the short sleeve is worn. A jersey can only be
worn over the shirt but inside the suit jacket.

19.4 MOUNTED DRESS

Hat
Red Jacket
Long sleeve vest
Riding breech (small)
Puttees
Working dress jacket
Sam Browne
Stable Belt
Black Boots
Combat/ Anarok
Rain Coat
Black Socks
Leather Gloves
Identity Card
Laneyard
Epaulettes/ Shoulder Tittles
Gorgets/Stars
Shoulder Flashes
Medals

Page 194 of 226

 Name Tag

NB: Red jacket is worn with Sam Browne, laneyard, epaulettes/shoulder

tittles, shoulder flashes, and gorgets/stars. Name tag is worn above the right
pocket, while medals are worn above the left pocket. The red jacket is used
when one dresses for ceremonies, whereas for daily duties the working dress
jacket will be worn.
19.5 SCHEDULE OF CLOTHING AND REPLACEMENT PERIODS:
ITEM REPLACEMENT
PERIOD
1 BLUE SUITS (SUMMER) On Board
1 BLUE SUITS (WINTER) On Board
1 RAIN COAT On Board
2 WHITE SHIRTS (SHORT 1 set- 2 years
SLEEVES)
2 WHITE SHIRTS (LONG SLEEVES) 1set-2 years
1 TIE On Board
1 JERSEY On Board
1 RIDING BREECH/SMALL On Board
1 PAIR PUTEES On Board
1 WOOLLEN HAT On Board
2 CAPS (OPERATIONAL AND NO.1) On Board
1 WHIP STICK/ HAND BAG On Board
1 LANEYARD/ GOLD On Board
1 LEATHER GLOVES On Board
1 PAIR HAND CUFFS On Board
1 PENCIL POCKET NOTEBOOK On Board
3 PAIR SOCKS/ PANTY HOSE 1 set- 6 months
1 GREAT COAT On Board
1 COMBAT/ANAROK On Board
1 SHOULDER TITTLE PAIR On Board
1 HAT BADGE On Board
1 IDENTITY CARD On Board
2 PAIR APPAULETS On Board
16 BUTTONS (S, M, L, AND XL) On Board
1 BELTS (LEATHER) On Board

Page 195 of 226

 1 STABLE BELTS On Board
1 HAT PLASTIC COVER On Board
1 PAIR STAR On Board
1 PAIR CHEVRONS On Board
1 PAIR ARMLETS On Board
1 PAIR WHITE GLOVES 1set- years
1 TONFA On Board
1 PAIR STRIPES On Board
1 OPERATIONAL SHORT SLEEVE On Board
SHIRTS
1 OPERATIONAL TROUSERS On Board
1 OPERATIONAL JACKET On Board
1 OPERATIONAL CAP On Board
2 PAIR BOOTS On Board
2 PAIR SHOES On Board
1 STEEL HELMET On Board
1 NAME TAG On Board
1 PAIR OF EARINGS On Board
1 WATER BOTTLE On Board
1 WATER BOTTLE CARRIER On Board
1 KIT BAG On Board
1 WHISTLE On Board
1 WHISTLE CHAIN On Board
1 CURRY COMB On Board
1 BODY BRUSH On Board
1 HOOF PICK On Board
1 POLICE OFFICER’S GUIDE On Board
MANUAL
1 OPERATIONAL CAMOUFLAGE On Board
1 BAND SUIT On Board
1 ARMOURED VESTS On Board
1 BARRETTES On Board
1 SCUBA WET SUIT On Board
2 SHORT SLEEVES VEST On Board
2 LONG SLEEVES VEST On Board
1 WEBBING On Board
1 SAM BROWNE On Board

Page 196 of 226

19.6 GENERAL
The highest standard of discipline and smartness are required from all members
of LMPS, both on and off duty.

All uniforms will be of the official pattern and shades as held in LMPS Stores.

The above regulations may be waived on the authority of the Commissioner of

Police for personnel employed on specific duties, e.g. Police Training College,
Radio Operators, Ceremonial, Band duties, etc.

A high standard of turn-out is required from all ranks, as a matter of must

uniform should be clean/tidy and pressed, shoes/boots highly polished. All
ranks will be properly dressed during working hours unless when engaged in
fatigues or stable duties.

Senior Officers authorised to wear plain clothes and draw special duty
allowances are required to maintain the full scale of uniform laid down.

Subordinate Officers, N.C.O.s and Police constables authorised to be employed

on plain clothes will hold no uniform which will all be returned to Stores on
appointment. On return to uniform duty they will be re-issued with full scale
uniform.

Instructions will be issued from Police Headquarters on the dress to be worn

with the date of changes from summer to winter dress. The prevailing weather
conditions will be taken into consideration and some latitude in dates of change
will normally be given.

For particular duties and ceremonies, orders will be carried out irrespective of
prevailing weather conditions.

Officers are not required to provide themselves with swords, which can be
obtained on loan from Police Headquarters Stores.

Shoulder badges (Epaulettes) and buttons will be of Police Service pattern and
obtainable only from Police Service Stores.

Page 197 of 226

Lanyards will be of Police Service pattern and will be worn over the left
shoulder leading in to inner half of the left pocket by all members of the police
service.

Full dress will be worn on all ceremonial duties (mounted or dismounted) and
when attending or on duty at the High Court.

Firearms issues will be made on the instruction of the Station in charge. Tonfas
will be carried by NCOs, and Police Constables at all times as part of uniform
while Sub-inspectors and above will carry whip sticks.

Issues of overalls and sporty, which will be replaced on board, may be made to
specific personnel.

The wearing of issue uniform or any part of uniform when off duty is strictly
forbidden. Personnel must at all times be either in full or no uniform at all.

Greatcoat or Waterproof Cape may be worn according to the season. When the
greatcoat is worn, it will be properly buttoned and not worn with the front
buttons open.

The greatest care must be taken of all issue uniform and where it is clear that
negligence has caused damage to uniform, the member involved may be called
upon to replace by repayment.

Where items of uniform become torn, worn out or damaged, it is the

responsibility of the wearer to take it to the tailor or report it immediately to his
immediate supervisor who will arrange for replacement or repair.

All issue uniform remain the property of Government; it is not to be handed to

any member of the public under any circumstances and all uniform ordered to
be destroyed by a Board will be destroyed. The only exception being that
boarded boots will be handed to the Correctional Services.

Undergarments: clothing worn under uniform must not protrude above the
collar or below the cuffs of uniform.

Page 198 of 226

 On retirement or discharge from the Police Service, all items of equipment will
be returned and checked by the Station in charge. At the discretion of the
Station in charge, he may be allowed to retain boots.

All male uniformed police officers will cut the hair as short as possible. Beards
will be shaved and will be grown with the authority of the Commissioner, who
will only approve on a medical recommendation or traditional observance.
Moustaches may be worn.

Female police officers will not wear any other earrings than those provided as
uniform. While in uniform, they will not wear coloured pony-tails (extensions)
and they should not beautify themselves with glamorous stuff or make-ups.

No member of the LMPS will wear sunglasses whilst in uniform without the
approval of the Commissioner, which will only be given on medical
recommendation.

Police officers will not slouch around; will neither walk with their hands in
their pockets nor will they walk arm in arm or hand in hand while in uniform.

Recruits and Police Assistants will wear distinguishing brass-collar badges ‘R’
and ‘P.A.’ respectively on the collars of their uniform. One set of badges will
be issued to each Recruit and Police Assistant and these will be handed in
when they cease to hold that rank.

19.7 WHIP STICKS AND TONFA STICKS

Regulation issue whip sticks will be carried by all men of the rank of Sub-
inspector and above while tonfa sticks will be carried by men of the rank of
Sergeant and below at all times when in uniform and on duty, with the
following exceptions:-

(a) When carrying rifles,

(b) When carrying a long baton, (only on the instruction of a Senior,
Subordinate or Non-Commissioned Officer),
(c) When engaged in driving stock, in which case the use of a short-handled
stock-whip, stick or sjambok is permissible, but such items will not be
considered as an item of regulation Uniform or equipment, and
(d) When carrying a “best stick.”
Page 199 of 226
19.8 PUTTEES
Puttees should be worn from four finger breadth below the knee cap to the
ankle, tapes to be tied so as to cover an area of 3” and finished on the inside of
the leg.

19.9 IDENTITY CARDS

Identity Cards will be carried by all police officers at all times whether in
uniform or not and will be produced at the request of any member of the public
or Police Service.

Loss of identity cards will be reported immediately to the immediate supervisor

and be reflected in the Occurrence Book.

Page 200 of 226

SECTION 20
SIGNALS
20.1 ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBILITY: SIGNAL
OFFICERS
The organization of the signals networks will be the responsibility of the Signal
Officer as directed by the Commissioner of Police. The Signal Officer will
provide the technological services required for planning, installation and
maintenance of all equipment necessary to operate the signals networks
required by the organization. The Signals Officer will be responsible to the
Commissioner of Police for the operation and the security of PHQ radio room
and the administration of radio workshops, stores and technical staff.

The radio room will operate a service of twenty – four hours daily (24/7).

20.2 DISTRICTS COMMISSIONERS

District Commissioners will be responsible to Commissioner of Police for all
signal equipment held in the district and they will administer and operate the
station and sub-station networks as required by the Commissioner of Police,
with such advice and assistance from PHQ as may be required.

The district signals Non-Commissioned Officer will assist the office of the
District Commissioner, by making frequent inspections of signals equipment at
stations and sub stations (including radio – equipped vehicles) within the
district, and when necessary he will instruct general duties personnel in
operating duties and ensure that such personnel are fully conversant with the
running and operation of battery charged engines.

General Duties: Personnel stationed at substations, who are required to operate

signals equipment in the course of their duties, will be responsible to the
District Commissioner for this equipment and they will observe the operating
schedules laid down in district and station orders.

20.3 TRAINING OF OPERATORS

In cases where there are insufficient qualified operators to maintain the required
watches at districts and stations, the District Commissioners will ensure that

Page 201 of 226

 suitable general duties personnel are made available to District Signals Non-
Commissioned Officer for training locally for operating duties.

Establishment operators will have completed a course of limited technical

training at PHQ and will be entitled to allowance.

Operators stationed in a district will be directly under the District

Commissioner.

20.4 SIGNAL EQUIPMENT

Faulty or damaged equipment requiring workshops attention will be reported by
the REGIPOLS to the Commissioner of Police who will instruct the signal
officer to take necessary steps to effect the repairs. Cases of damage to
equipment through negligence will be dealt with by the Commissioner of Police
in accordance with general and financial orders.

20.5 MESSAGE HANDLING

Incoming messages will be recorded in duplicate by the radio operators who
will send both copies to the person for whom the message is intended. The
recipient will initial the duplicate copy and fill in under “DATE’’ the time of
receipt.

This duplicate copy will be returned to the operator who will retain it in a file as
his receipt that the message has been delivered. The serial number will be that
of the transmitting station. Outgoing messages will be recorded in duplicate.
Both copies will be given to operator who will fill in the serial and time of the
transmission. The operator will initial both copies and return the original to the
sending officer as written confirmation of the message having been sent.

Old messages will be destroyed at least after three months.

20.6 LOG BOOKS

The operator will maintain a log which will record the call sign of every station
contacted throughout the day, the times of the contact (signal report) and the
serial number of messages transmitted or received, etc.
DATE STATION TIME IN MESSAGES

Page 202 of 226

 CONTACTED START FINISH OUT

01/6/59 ZNG 33 09:00 09:05 Nil Test 5 Nil

ZNG 36 11:15 11:30 Nil District Links Nil

ZNG 41 12:20 12:24 TY/6

ZNG 39 15:29 15:37 QP/12

20.7 MAINTENANCE REGISTER

The operator will maintain a register in which he will record daily the date, the
number of hours his radio has been in use, the number of hours his charging
engine or wind charger has been run, changes of engine oil, cleaning of spark
plug, etc 14/03/14.

No. of hours radio transmitter run 4

No. of hours engine run 2

Engine Oil changed (if changed)

15/03/14

No. of hours radio transmitter run 3

No. of Hours Engine run NIL

20.8 PHONETIC ALPHABET

Appendix “A” shows the current Phonetic Alphabet which will be used by all
operators when passing messages.

20.9 SECURITY
The contents of police messages will not be divulged to any person other than
the addressees.

Page 203 of 226

20.10 INDICATION OF PRIORITY
The following indications of priority may be used as a prefix to a message to
indicate its degree of urgency. They will only be used by the officers specified.

Immediate Commissioner of Police

O – P Operational Priority Officer-in-Charge of division
P – Priority Non-Commissioned officers
In charge of Sub-stations.

Page 204 of 226

APPENDIX “A”

20.11 A) PHONETIC ALPHABET

ALFA AL FAH
BRAVO BRAH VOH
CHALIE CHA LEE
DELTA DELL TAH
ECHO ECK OH
FOXTROT FOKS TROT
GOLF GOLF
HOTEL HOH TELL
INDIA INN DEE AH
JULIET JEW LEE ETT
KILO KEY LOH
LIMA LEE MAH
MIKE MIE KH
NOVEMBER NO VEM BER
OSCAR OSS CAH
PAPA PAH PAH
QUEBEC KEH BECK
ROMEO ROW ME OH
SIERRA SEE AIR RAH
TANGO TANG GO
UNIFORM YOU NEE FORM
VICTOR VIK TAH
WHISKY WISS KEY
X-RAY ECKS RAY
YANKEE YANG KEY
ZULU ZOO LOO

B) NUMBERS
0 ZERO
1 WUN
2 TOO
3 TREE
4 FOW-ER
5 FIFE
6 SIX
7 SEV-EN
8 ALT
9 NIN-ER

Page 205 of 226

SECTION 21
MISCELLANEOUS
21.1 GENERAL CONDUCT
All police must remember that they hold a most important and responsible
position in society. The nation of Lesotho will be judged largely by the conduct
of the LMPS. This is particularly so at border stations where first impressions
of the outside world are formed.

Police must always be tactful, civil and obliging in their dealings with the
public; this is important, no matter how unreasonable the attitude of a member
of the public may appear to be.

The ability to control one’s temper under difficult circumstances is an essential

asset to a police officer and gives him a considerable advantage over the public
generally and must eventually be to his credit.

On occasions when police are required to act firmly, they will do so in the most
tactful way possible. They will never resort to the use of unnecessary force but
will use only that degree of force necessary to carry out their duties effectively.

21.2 SMOKING, DRINKING AND EATING IN PUBLIC

Smoking in LMPS premises is prohibited. Smoking will be done only in those
areas that may be designated as smoking areas.

Police officers should not smoke, drink alcohol, chew gums or eat in public
places while in uniform.

21.3 SALUTINGS
21.3.1 GENERAL
All police must pay the necessary compliments by way of salute to all V.I.Ps of
Lesotho, Senior Police Officers, Civil Servants, visiting signatories, etc. A
salute is not a subservient act - it is the accepted way of greeting between
members of the organization and the method of paying respect to ones senior in
position or rank who are worthy of being saluted. Saluting conveys one’s

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 respect, faithfulness, loyalty and obedience to orders. It is not just directed to a
person per se, but to the country.

When police are in a party and a salute is required to be given, the senior
member present only will salute. Similarly, when one or more senior police are
in a party, the senior police will return salute. All Senior Police Officers will
return salutes given to them by their junior in rank.

21.3.2 SALUTING IN ARMS DRILL

Whenever flags (colour party) are part of the parade, such parade shall, as a
matter of must, be formed by troops carrying drilling rifles. This is because the
flag is protected and guarded by armed troops. Whenever the colour party
comes to join the parade, it must be received by salute. The parade commander
shall cause the arms to come to shoulder position by saying; “Guard of honour!
Shouldered arms!”
Then he shall cause the parade to salute by; “Guard of honour, Colour salute,
present arms!” Where Mounted Escort is part of the parade, then parade shall
be commanded by; “All parade, Colour salute, present arms!” The horsemen
shall lower their lances to horizontal position, moving concurrently with
swords.
Where there are no rifles at the parade and the Commissioner has to be given
salute by the whole parade, the command shall be; “Commissioner’s salute,
to the front salute!

21.3.3 TROOPING TO THE COLOUR

During the King’s Birthday where colour party is part of the parade, there shall
be a guard, which shall fetch the national flag into the parade in drill time.

NB: Where there are no rifles at the parade, national flag shall not be part of
the parade.

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21.3.4 SALUTING DURING ORATIONS AT FUNERAL OF LMPS
MEMBERS
a)At the time of the orations during the funeral of departed police officer, a coffin
will be covered with the national flag, shoes/boots and police cap will be put on
the side of the feet and head respectively.
b)A member coming to pass commiseration will first salute COMPOL, and then
salute the bier before beginning their speech.
c)When leaving the floor, the member will again salute the bier and then
COMPOL before taking their seat.

FORMATION OF PROCESSION, COMMANDS TO THE PARADE FROM

HOME TO GRAVEYARD AND POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED –
CONCERNING FUNERAL OF POLICE OFFICERS
Formation of Procession
(i) Firing Party and Buglers will form up near the cemetery – a few metres
away from the tomb.
(ii) From home to the cemetery, at the forefront will be a saddled horse,
carrying police shoes/boots facing backward, led by a police officer. This
signifies that a rider (departed officer) has fallen off.
(iii) A village chief or a man carrying spade or a cross as the case may be,
will follow immediately after the horse.
(iv) Then a priest.
(v) Full Police Band will go behind the priest (if the deceased is a Senior
Officer or the police officer who lost his life meritoriously in the line of
duty),
(vi) A vehicle carrying a deceased, with pallbearers on both sides or coming
from behind depending on the size of the road,
(vii) Uniformed police officers – according their seniority in rank – from
most senior rank downwards,
(viii) Plain clothed police officers,
(ix) Members of the public in attendance will follow at the rear.

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(a) Commands to the Parade
(x) The Parade Commander, normally a Senior Officer, will command the
procession to advance in quick march at the funeral of a subordinate
officer, or to advance in slow march if the deceased is senior officer.
Note: In this case the parade will march in slow time and change to quick
time subsequent to change of tempo of drums. As the hearse/vehicle
approaches the firing party, the Band will go passed the Firing Party and
take its position.
(xi) As the hearse/vehicle approaches the firing party, the Firing Party
Commander, of the rank of Sgt or above, will cause the Firing Party to
come to Attention, to Shouldered Arms and to Present Arms.
(xii) The Pallbearers will unload the coffin from hearse/vehicle, carry it and
pass through the Firing Party and Buglers and then halt few paces
beyond.
(xiii) The Firing Party Commander will command the Firing Party come to
Shouldered Arms and to turn “Right and Left” i.e. towards the
Pallbearers.
(xiv) The Firing Party Commander will command the Firing Party, Buglers
and Pallbearers to advance in slow time towards the tomb. The Firing
Party and Buglers will take their position while the Pallbearers put the
coffin on the lowering device or on the side of the tomb before taking
their position too. The coffin will still be covered with the national flag
which will be removed when the coffin is lowered.
(xv) The Firing Party Commander will cause the Firing Party to come to
attention and to rest on their arms; where now the Firing Party will point
rifle muzzles downwards and butts up. Put both palms crossed over each
other on the butts, and their heads bowed down.
(xvi) The Priest proceeds with his service.
(xvii) When the coffin is lowered into the tomb, the buglers and drummers
will play/sound “Last Post” and at this time all officers on uniform, other
than the Firing Party, will salute until the “Last Post” is over. In the case
of senior officer or the police officer who lost his life meritoriously in the
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 line of duty, the “Last Post” will be played amid the hymn “Abide with
Me (Lala Ho ‘Na)” sang by the Police Band.
(xviii) When the Priest has finished, the Buglers will play/sound “Last
Post.” At this time all officers on uniform, other than the Firing Party,
will salute until the “Last Post” is over. The bugle and drums will be
sounded /played amid the hymn by the Police Band during funeral of a
senior officer.
(xix) Thereafter, there will be two minutes of silence. This moment of
silence is observed to pay last respect to the deceased.
(xx) The Firing Party Commander will command the Firing Party to come to
“Attention” and the Firing Party will lift up their heads.
(xxi) The Commander will go on to command the Firing Party to come to
Shouldered Arms and to Present Arms.
(xxii) Buglers and drummers will play CALLS “Reveille.” There is no
saluting here. Only the Firing Party will be on present arms.
(xxiii) Firing Party Commander will command the Firing Party to
Shouldered Arms and Ordered Arms.
(xxiv) The parade commander will make an announcement for information
of all present that there will be shooting three times in the air.
(xxv) Then the Firing Party Commander will command the Firing Party to
“Standing load” and to shoot, on commands, three times in the air, with
three rounds each, the belief of which is to clear the way for and bidding
a departed member a farewell.
(xxvi) The Firing Party Commander will command the Firing Party
(inclusive of the Buglers) to come to Shouldered Arms, Present Arms,
Shouldered Arms and fall out.

Points to be considered
a) All Senior Officers, whether serving or retired, and police officers who
lost their lives in the line of their duty will be buried with a full Police

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 Band while other members whether serving or retired will be buried
with buglers and drummers.
b) The REGIPOL will represent the Commissioner of Police at the
members’ funerals in their regions. In the case where there is more than
one funeral in a Region, REGIPOL will delegate DISPOL or any senior
officer for that purpose.
c) It shall be the responsibility of each District Commissioner, in whose
jurisdiction a member of LMPS is to be laid to rest, to make all funeral
arrangements, inclusive of formation of a firing party.
d) Full Police Band will be present when departed senior officers, who
were still in service, leave mortuaries to their homes and on the day of
interment.
e) For departed retired senior officers, the full Police Band will be present
on funeral day.

21.3.5 COMMEMORATION OF POLICE OFFICERS WHO DIED WHILE

EXECUTING POLICE DUTIES
The Commissioner of Police and or Minister responsible for Police or any
other Minister designated for this ceremony will lay wreaths at the Police
Monument situated at Tšekelo Park, at Police Training College, in
commemoration of Police officers who died in the execution of their police
duties. This ceremony will be carried out annually during Police Day
Celebration and there will be a parade meant for that and will go as follows;
(a) There will be a Parade Commander of the rank of Sub-Inspector or
Inspector and six or more men on parade. There will also be buglers.
(b) Parade Commander forms up the parade.
(c) Parade Commander commands the parade to come to “Attention,”
“Shouldered Arms” and “Present Arms.”
(d) Thereafter he will command them to “Reverse Arms.”
(e) The command that follows is, “Right and Left turn!”
(f) Then they will be commanded to advance in slow march towards the
monument and surround it (monument).
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 (g) When they get to their positions they will be commanded to mark
time, halt and turn outwards respectively.
(h) The next command is, “Rest on your Arms!”
(i) Handing and laying of wreaths. They will rest on their arms until
laying of wreaths is over.
(j) Buglers play CALLS (Last Post) before and after lying of wreaths.
(k) Two minutes silence will be observed.
(l) Parade commander will cause the parade to come to Attention and
Present Arms.
(m) At this moment the Buglers play CALLS “Reveille.”
(n) The parade will come to Shouldered Arms, Present Arms and
Shouldered Arms.
(o) Finally the Parade Commander dismisses the parade, “Dismiss!”

21.3.6 PAYING OF COMPLIMENTS IN COURT

A police witness will enter the witness box wearing his headdress. He will
salute the judge and remove his headdress while giving evidence. At the
conclusion of his testimony, he will replace his headdress before taking the
oath. He will not wear headdress while giving evidence. At the conclusion of
his testimony, he will replace his headdress and again salute the judge before
stepping from the witness box.

21.4 CANTEENS
Canteens may only be run with the authority of the Commissioner of Police and
upon such conditions as he may from time to time lay down generally or
individually, according to the circumstances pertaining.

Proposals for the opening of canteens must be submitted to the Commissioner

of Police by the District Commissioners.

21.5 FIRE - FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

Officers are required to maintain fire-fighting equipment which is in their
charge in working order.

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 Extinguishers must be checked and refilled every six months.

A REVISED FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT STANDING ORDER

1. Introduction:

The mission of this standing order should be understood as embracing the

Following three cardinal features:

(a) Life Safety.
(b) Property Conservation.
(c) Incident Stabilization/Environmental preservation.

2. The Standing Order shall stand as follows to meet our contemporary times:
(a) Fire Brigade Department should be equipped with durable, modern fire and
rescue communication devices/systems and personnel should be fully trained in
the use of such.

(b) Adequate training for firefighters should be given a priority by LMPS

management in order to meet the requirements and standards of the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Association of Fire
Chiefs (IAFC), and should be continual and continuous maintained.

(c) All firefighters should undergo medical check-ups after every Fire or Rescue
incident session.

(d) Fire and Rescue equipment and Fire Engines should be thoroughly serviced
and thoroughly checked every day.

(e) All firefighters must be conversant with evacuation tactics to put in practice
during emergency situations.

(f) Fire Brigade Department shall have contingency plans for ensuring safety of
lives during emergency situations.

(g) To avoid loss of property, firefighters must be conversant with techniques of

removal and protection of property.

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 (h) Fire Brigade Department shall employ modern strategies for preservation of
property during emergency situations.

(i) Fire Brigade Department shall at all emergent fire situations; cautiously
protect local communities from harm/hazards.

(j) Firefighters must employ monitoring strategies and tactics of the Volunteers
and community members to their advantage during emergency situations.

(k) It is a binding obligation to carry out a fire risk assessment and act on the
findings, record keeping (fire safety register), carry out regular evacuation
exercises, carry out regular inspections on fire hydrants and fire safety
equipment installed on different types of buildings, carry out road show on fire
awareness campaigns, sensitize and educate communities of Lesotho about fire
prevention measures and other hazardous situations through media and public
meetings.

(l) When emergency situations crop up, the fire brigade department should
disseminate the information to other utility companies internally and externally.

(m) Southern African Emergency Services Institute (SAESI), as a subsidiary

organization in Lesotho for all existing emergency services in Lesotho, shall
always be a strategic partner of LMPS Fire Brigade Department.

(n) Fire Brigade Department as one of the working groups of Disaster

Management Authority (DMA) shall provide operational reports regarding all
emergency embarkation legitimately to DMA.

(o) To conform with and meet the standards and requirements in item (d) above,
the firefighters should be provided with unique uniform and personal protective
equipment (PPE), which meet the requirements and standards of NFPA (1972-
1987-1973-1974)/IAFC.

21.6 ARREST AND EXTRADITION OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS FROM THE

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

The arrest and bringing into Lesotho of the fugitive offenders, who are alleged
to have committed crimes in Lesotho, from the Republic of South Africa is
governed by the Extradition Treaty between these two countries.
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21.7 SUMMONING OF DOCTORS FOR MEDICAL EVIDENCE
Medical officers are under strength and it is in the public interest that their time
should not be wasted. Doctors will only be called as witnesses when their
evidence is absolutely necessary; such evidence will be taken at a time during
the hearing which is convenient to the doctor concerned and that he is kept
waiting for as little time as possible.

Application should always be made for a doctor to be released as a witness as

soon as he has completed his evidence in court.

21.8 DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY

The Diplomatic Privileges Act No. 31 of 1969 governs the granting of
diplomatic privileges and immunities and for other incidental matters

21.9 PROHIBITION OF ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN PARTY POLITICS

(1) Each and every member of LMPS shall not attend and or be part of
Political Party meeting, procession, concourse, picketing and or rally.
(2) Each and every member of LMPS shall not wear, display, and or possess any
political regalia and or document.
(3) Each and every member of LMPS shall not shout out and or scream political
parties’ slogans and or motto or make a political party sign.
(4) Each and every member of the LMPS shall not play and or allow the
political songs to be played at his home, the police lines and vehicles.
(5) Each and every member of LMPS shall not convey or allow conveyance of
persons dressed in political party’s regalia unless the person so conveyed is
arrested and there is no opportunity to have such a person dressed apolitical.
(6) Any member of LMPS who contravenes (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) above fails
to comply with standing orders and therefore commits a disciplinary offence.
(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in provision (1) above, where a member
of LMPS is on official duty per Operations Order and or a lawful authority is

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given, a member may be presumed not to have taken active participation in
politics.

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OPERATIONS ORDER
LMPS RULES OF ENGAGEMENT FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS
(GUIDELINES)

1.0. Introduction

This document will serve as a guideline (not a panacea) covering wider diverse
police operations ranging from ordinary to complex civil disorder, state of
emergency and probably armed conflicts. They establish the applicable
standards to professional policing as they are drawn from practical policing
experiences, international instruments and domestic laws. This document will
in no way be interpreted to usurp the existing legislation but it only construes
the operational issues.

The major issues addressed by this document are respect for human rights of
people as individuals and groups, application of force in varying degrees and
varying circumstances facing police officers day in day out. It is noteworthy to
the operations that despite their right to enforce lawful instructions, but the
breach of rules constitute the unprofessional conduct which their consequences
may lead to criminal behaviour.

1.0 Rules Common to all Operations

1.1 The use of firearms or lethal weapons by law enforcement officials in the
crowd control is prohibited unless it is under inevitable circumstances to
quell the riotous riot.

1.2 Non-lethal means will be used to quell the riot unless the magnitude of
danger dictates the need to use proportionate force.

1.3 Law enforcement officials must arrest if they have reasonable ground to
believe that the liberty of other persons or property is under a threat.

1.4 The balance must always be maintained between the amount of freedom to
be used and the nature of act executed by the picketers / petitioners
/protesters.

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 1.5 Use of firearms is limited to self-defence only if the law enforcement
officials are under imminent threat of serious injury or death, as a result of
which firearms are unavoidable.

1.6 Police officials are required to obey and execute lawful orders given to
them by their supervisors in the performance of their duties including the
use of force and firearms.

1.7 Where officials obey and execute orders that are manifestly unlawful
which result to any commission of crime, defence to such crimes is
occasional.

1.8 The defence to such manifestly unlawful order shall not be reasonable to
execute if it can be proved that the officer had a reasonable opportunity to
use to obey and execute the order but failed to do so.

1.9 Superior officers should take note of the fact they ought to be accountable
to their manifestly unlawful orders.

2.1.0 Public Order Management Policing

The notion of public orders policing seeks to control members of the public
who gathered for the purpose of expressing their dissatisfaction through
picketing, strike or random public disorder

3.1.0 Management Of Public Order

Every operation of public order should be undertaken within the confinement
of the principles of law as envisaged by the following:

3.1.1 Restoration of order shall at all circumstances respect human rights of all
individuals, groups or entities that are involved in the situations in
question.
3.1.2 Application of invitations on the enforcement of rights must be consistent
with the provisions of the law.
3.1.3 Any action of deprivation of right shall be solely for the purpose of
security respect for the rights and freedom of others.

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 3.1.4 There must not be any derogation from the right to life, except where it is
practically impossible and lawful circumstances.

3.2.0 Operational Approach

3.2.1 There shall be an operational plan with clear objectives.
3.2.2 Operational officer shall have an adequate briefing and mandate.
3.2.3 Deployment must be strategically to avoid unnecessary risks.
3.2.4 Officers must be adequately resourced with appropriate public order
equipment and gear.
3.3.0 Operations Command Structure
The nature of operations varies in terms of size, circumstances and purpose.
Small operations are not defined in terms of strength and structure. However,
rules common to all operations and public order equipment may be necessary
and will apply across the board.
Large and planned operation formation should apply the following hierarchical
arrangement:
3.3.1 Gold Commander: The overall commander in charge of the whole
operation at any given time will keep on dishing out instructions to
his/her silver commander varying conditions and discontinuing the
operation depending on the situation on the ground.
3.3.2 Silver Commander: The officer deputizing the overall commander.
His/her function is to convey the directives to the overall commander,
tactical commander and bronzes pertinent to the plans.
3.3.3 Bronze Commander: Tactical commander/team leaders on the ground
enforcing or implementing the operational plans.
3.3.4 It is mandatory for the overall commander to host the debriefing for
purpose of determining accomplishment of the mission and press
conference as the feedback to the public.
3.3.5 It is incumbent upon the overall commander guided by the evaluation
results to determine the way forward.

3.4.0 Ground Operational Command

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 3.4.1 Engage negotiation/dialogue factor with the use of appropriate
communication equipment
3.4.2 Give the public alternatives.
3.4.3 In case of processions, draw the barrier line.
3.4.4 Direct rioters/procession to assemble at some other place where is less
risky/sensitive.
3.4.5 Drive the rioters /procession to an open space to avoid unnecessary
stampede.
3.4.6 Utilise as much as possible the crowd marshals and other independent
stakeholders to lessen the adversities.
3.4.7 Protect the injured persons and ensure their immediate evaluation.

4.0 Behavioural Approach

4.1 Law enforcement officials must exhibit high level of professional behavior
in all circumstances and at all times.
4.2. Law enforcement officials should avoid triggering violence by use of
vulgar language against the riots.
4.3. LMPS officials should adhere to the communication policy which in the
case of crowd management allows only tactical team leader to report about the
situation.
4.4. LMPS officials are not mandated to act without final instructions provided
that there are compelling circumstances

5.0 Public Order Management Equipment

Ammunition utilised for guards, escorts etc, and kept for temporary issue at
Police Stations shall be expended with the loose ammunition and replaced with
the newer rounds.
5.1 Hand Stun Grenade
It is used to disperse riotous mob. It splashes sparks and produces thunder-
sound when thrown to the ground. The purpose of this grenade is to disperse the
riotous mob, although not dangerous. It may cause danger to human life if used
carelessly.
5.2 Rifle Teargas

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It is mounted on the pump-action or Mossberg; it is projective and used to
disperse the crowd. It is irritant to eyes as it emits smoke and can reach at long
range.
5.3 Hand CS Teargas
It is used to disperse the riotous mob. It emits gas which is irritant to eyes. It
suffocates nostrils and mouth. It may be dangerous if the necessary precautions
are not followed.
5.4 Smoke
The following types of smoke can be used to obscure of the riotous mob. They
do not pose danger to mankind:
White smoke
Red smoke
Green smoke
5.5 Shields
They are used in self-defence against the stones or dangerous objects thrown at
the law enforcement officials.
5.6 Button/Tonfa Stick
It can be used for self-defence
5.7 Red Flare
It is used for warning that force is imminently to be used.
5.8 Water Cannon
It is the jet pulse water cannon which shall be used to disperse the crowd by
spreading water towards the riotous mob.
5.9 Other Equipment
5.9.1 Short Gun/ Mossberg
5.9.2 Gas Musk
5.9.3 Para Flare
5.9.4 Helmet
5.9.5 Leg and Body Protector
5.9.6 Gas Gun/Musler
5.9.7 Mesh Punch Puncher
5.9.8 Razor Wire

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 5.9.9 Hailers and Loud Speaker
5.9.10 Search Lights
5.9.11 Camera
5.9.12 Stretcher

6.0 Mounting RTCP

6.1.1 A standard adequately manned RTCP should be composed of a platoon

(30 officers).
6.2 RTCP should be headed by a senior officer.
6.3 It is mandatory for every RTCP to include female officers.
6.3.1 This type of operation should be inclusive of officers from various
reactive and proactive units.
6.4 There is no fast rule determining whether RTCP may be movable or static.
6.4.1 RTCP should be mounted in an open area to enable stopping, searching
and impounding.
6.5 In case of night operation, the act area should be sufficiently luminous.
6.5.1 Law enforcement officials on this operation should be clearly identical by
their uniform.
6.5.2 Operation must have a target, must not display signs of punishment to law
enforcement officials on RTCP and they should wear armoured
vests/safety jackets.
6.5.3 Various types of firearms should be available to be used as preventive
measure to combat various crimes through the use of traffic strategies.
6.5.4 As nearly as possible officers in this operation should use reflective
colours e.g. in stopping motor vehicles, the use of white gloves is highly
recommended.
6.6 Without any order of priority, the following equipment constitute is
required.
6.6.1 Road signs indicating a road block
6.6.2 Reflective road cones
6.6.3 Search lights
6.6.4 Para flare
6.6.5 Generator

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 6.6.6 Breakdown
6.6.7 Jump starter
6.6.8 Metal detector
6.6.9 Cell type vehicle
6.6.10 Stretcher
6.6.11 Torch
6.6.12 Road Trap Punch rail
6.6.13 First Aid kit
6.6.14 Sniffer dogs
6.6.15 Breathalysers
6.6.16 Drug and Diamond testing kit
6.6.17 Etching kit
6.6.18 Ultra violet light
6.6.19 Fire Engine
6.6.20 Armoured car

1.0 Cultural Oriented Disorder

This part anticipate that some disorder may have their roots from cultural
believes or practices of the society. To effectively deal with such situations,
law enforcement officers deployed to quell the situation must understand or
have the cultural background of the involved communities.

7.1 Approach

7.1.1. The procedure stipulated on the statute governing Meetings and Processions
should be followed to the letter
7.1.2. In case of disorder the customary practitioners should be involved to
facilitate resolution of disorder.
7.1.3. Law enforcement officials deployed to deal with the disorder should be a
mixture of those who have a background of the customary system.
7.1.4. No customary protocols will be observed when dealing with public disorder
confined to cultural practices or rituals.
7.1.5. As regards the equipment, section five (5) of these guideline will apply.

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NB:
 These guidelines are subject to review as and when necessary by
circumstances.
 Each and every law enforcement officials engaged in this operation should
apply three F`s being firmness, fairly and frankly since police are from the
people and are for the people.

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ACRONYMS

ACP = Assistant Commissioner of Police

C/A = College Administrator
CGPU = Children and Gender Protection Unit
CIS = Crime Intelligence Services
CID = Crime Intelligence Division
COMPOL = Commissioner of Police
CPU = Crime Prevention Unit
DCP = Deputy Commissioner of Police
DDT = Deputy Director Training
DISPOL = District Police Commander
DT = Director Training
HRM = Human Resource Manager
HRO = Human Resource Officer
I, C & D = Inspectorate, Complaints and Discipline
INSP = Inspector
INTERPOL = International Police
L/SGT = Lance Sergeant
LMPS = Lesotho Mounted Police Service
NCO = Non-Commissioned Officer
O/A = Office Assistant
O/C = Officer Commanding
OB = Occurrence Book
OCPS = Officer Commanding Police Station
P/A = Police Assistant
P/C = Police Constable
PHQ = Police Headquarters
PRO = Public Relations Officer
PTC = Police Training College
RCI = Record of Crime Investigation
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 REGIPOL = Regional Police Commander
RTCP = Road Traffic Check Point
SO = Service Order
SOT = Staff Officer Training
SACP = Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police
S/INSP = Senior Inspector
SCU = Serious Crime Unit
SGT = Sergeant
SOU = Special Operations Unit
SSP = Senior Superintendent
SSU = Special Support Unit
STU = Stock Theft Unit
SUB-INSP = Sub-Inspector
` SUPT = Superintendent
TSD = Technical Support Division
TSS = Technical Support Services
W/P/C = Woman Police Constable
P/C = Police Constable

NEUMONIC ADVICE

P = Politeness, be polite
O = Obedience, be obedient
L = Loyalty, be loyal
I = Integrity, display integrity
C = Courtesy, be courteous to all
E = Exemplary, be exemplary in all your dealings

THE MOTTO OF THE LESOTHO MOUNTED POLICE SERVICE IS,

“A POLICEMAN, A FRIEND, A HELPER”

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