Page 231 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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Police and Public Security.

1. Police Administration.
(a) Strength.
Strength of the Police on 29th Dulhaj 1358 (8th February).
Police
Superintendents 1
Havildars 4
Naiks 11
L/Naiks 28
Policemen ... 237
Band 16
Camel Section 16
Horse 21
Motor Bicycle 8
Indian Instructors 5
Total N.C.08 & men ... 347
Camp followers 20
Horses 32
Camels 22
Naturs
Manamah town guards ... 58
Muharraq „ »» .. 46
Elsewhere 49
Bapco, special guards 59
Speoial Posts n 21

Total naturs ... 233
Total armed force ... 680
Vehicles
Police cars 3
Police motor bicycles 7
The strength of the Police was increased by 26 men during the year and
the naturs were increased by 107 men. Most of the additional naturs were employed
on defence measures.
(6) Recruitment. After the war began there was some difficulty in obtaining
the necessary number of suitable reoruits conforming in height and physical
standard to the Police requirements. This was partly due to a rumour which was
circulated locally that the men might be sent abroad for military service and partly
owing to the unpopularity of service at the Refinery and in the oil fields. If the
standard of height and physical fitness had been lowered plenty of men could have
been enlisted but this was considered undesirable.
(c) Routine. Until the war began the Police carried out their usual
programme of duties and training as in previous years. In the spring they spent
about a week in camp near Budeya where they did extended order drill and attack
practices etc. The camel section was almost incessantly on patrol along the
coasts of Bahrain, the horse section was in camp near Jenabeya for about a month.
The route march in the autumn was abandoned owing to the war. The rifle range
was in constant use and several recruit sections completed their training. Until
September the usual posts and guards were maintained, employing about 85 N.C.Os.
and men.