Page 393 - Bahrain Gov annual reports (V a)_Neat

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BAHRAIN STATE POLICE FORCE
1956

Report by Colonel A. H. Si. G. Hamersley, M.C., Commandant of Police.

General Review
1. The year 1956 showed considerable progress in the expansion and reorganization of
the Bahrain State Police. Satisfactory advance was made in the overall condition and efficiency
of the Force in spite of periodical emergencies during the year. The political agitation and
disturbances of March and November, 1956, imposed a considerable strain on the newly-
developing Force, but, on both occasions, the Police acted with zeal and although short in
numbers carried out the task of restoring order as rapidly and smoothly as possible.
2. Headquarters Administration was enlarged in order to handle the new branches which
were being brought into existence. These Branches were C.I.D., Immigration, and Mobile
Police Force. A detailed report of these branches is included below.
3. Until the middle of the year, the inadequate numbers of British and Arab Officers
made it impossible to make any great advance in the state of training and effectiveness of the
Force ; owing to the devotion to duty of these few officers the morale of the Force was improved
and a foundation was laid for further development when specialist officers with experience of
the work of the new branches were engaged from the U.K..
4. The difficulty in obtaining the services of trained Arab Police Officers is a serious
drawback, but is being remedied by training locally enlisted personnel to fill this deficiency.
A start was made in this direction during the year and 18 cadets passed out of the Police School
in September, 1956, and were given the rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector. They have been
posted to various branches and are receiving further practical training in all aspects of police
duties.
5. A serious impediment to the development of the Force is the lack of literates among
the Other Ranks, and very few of those applying for service have had any education. A series
of literacy classes have therefore been organized and have proved beneficial, and should do
much to facilitate instruction of recruits in Police Duties.
6. The Police Training School has not yet been fully developed owing to lack of instructing
staff and for the greater part of 1956 it was concerned chiefly with the instruction of cadets.
In this capacity it did good work.
7. Recruiting has been one of the biggest problems. Although the rates of pay and
conditions of service in the Force have been improved, they still do not attract the local popu­
lation. The majority of recruits accepted for service are of foreign origin and are drawn from
men who come to Bahrain seeking employment. Of those who present themselves for enlist­
ment, only about 5 per cent, are acceptable, and this lack of good men coming forward is a
serious problem. For the last three months of 1956 the intake of recruits has only just kept
pace with the normal wastage.
.
Administration
ESTABLISHMENT AND STRENGTH AS AT 31st DECEMBER, 1956 :
Arab Officers 5 i
British Officers 12
Assistant Sub-Inspectors .. 18
Warrant Officers
Non-Commissioned Officers 101
Constables 442
Band 25

Total .. 603