Royal Gauteng Mounted Police
The Royal Gauteng Mounted Police (RGMP) is the national police force of the Kingdom of Gautenga.
History
The police service was established in 1872, with an initial strength of 110 men. It adopted military discipline and, from 1878, military rank structure based on the Imperial Exponential Army. After gaining independence in 1988, the force moved towards a civilian police operation, and replaced its military rank structure with conventional civilian police ranks.
Roles and responsibilities
The Royal Gauteng Mounted Police are the law enforcement arm of the government of Gautenga, and as such respond to any and all crimes reported within Gauteng territory. The RGMP is also frequently called upon to settle territorial disputes over grazing rights, and has the power to settle grazing disputes on site, although these settlements can later be escalated to the high court.
Training
The national Police Training College (P.T.C) opened in 1946. All recruits are enrolled as Cadets and complete a thirteen-month training course. Recruits must be aged between 18 and 30, and pass an initial entrance examination. Recruits are accepted from all parts of Gautengan society, but must be registered as Gautengan citizens. Although police positions were originally restricted to men only, the force has admitted women officers since 1970.