Brunei
| Author | George Kurian |
| Pages | 246-247 |
Page 246
Official country name: Negara Brunei Darussalam
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Geographic description: Country in the northwest off the island of Borneo, an enclave of Malaysia
Population: 372,361 (est. 2005)
History. The first uniformed police force was created by the British authorities in 1905, seventeen years after they took the Brunei sultanate under their protection. Under the command of the resident, this was a small detachment of the Straits Settlement Police. In 1921 this force received the formal designation of the Brunei State Police, to which the title "Royal" was added in 1965.
The sultan is also the inspector general of the Royal Brunei State Police. Directly under the sultan, the commissioner of police is the operational head of the force. Territorially, the country is divided into two police districts: Brunei, with head-quarters at Bandar Seri Begawan, and Belait, with headquarters at Kuala Belait.
Operationally, there are three branches:
Operational, including reserve units, marine branch, ports and airports, the Royal Guard, training, and the two operational districts.
Administrative, including transportation, communications, personnel, and buildings.
Criminal investigation, including the internal security branch known simply as the Special Branch; Interpol; and fingerprint and criminal records. Specialized units include the Marine Police, the Airport Police, and the Royal Guard. A volunteer police unit guards the oil fields. There is also a Police Reserve Unit with two companies.
In descending order, the principal service grades are:
Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner
Assistant Commissioner
Senior Superintendent
Superintendent
Deputy Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent
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Chief Inspector
Senior Inspector
Inspector
Subinspector
Sergeant Major
Sergeant
Corporal
Constable
Training for all grades is provided at the Police Training Center at Manggis.
A blue peaked cap is worn with a silver-gray shirt and khaki slacks. Officers wear bush jackets instead of the shirt for normal duties. The police officers are generally armed and are issued rifles...
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