British South Africa Police

BSA Police Chronology

The origins of the British South Africa Police extend back to the 1890s with the formation of the Pioneer Column and the occupation of Mashonaland.  This section of the web site is an abbreviated history of the force in a linear listing.  There are several definitive, political periods within the time line, where the force transitioned between the BSA Company, Southern Rhodesia as a colony, the post Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) period and then the eventual change to Zimbabwe.
Chronology
Pre Governance and Formation
21-May-1884

Bechuanaland Territories declared a British Protectorate

1-July-1884

Bechuanaland Mounted Police (BMP) formed to impose order in the British Bechuanaland Protectorate following frontier instability and Boer incursions. Raised as a paramilitary force, they combined policing and military functions, providing the institutional foundation from which later colonial police forces in the region evolved.

4-August-1885

Bechuanaland Border Police (BBP) founded (a forerunner of the BSA Police). Established in 1885 to police the newly proclaimed Bechuanaland Protectorate and secure imperial communications northwards. Organised as a mounted, paramilitary force, the BBP provided the administrative and operational template from which the British South Africa Police were directly formed.

British South Africa
29-Oct-1889

Royal Charter authorizes the formation of the British South Africa Company's Police - which absorbed elements of the BBP - with responsibilities to protect and police Mashonaland

01-Jan-1890

BSA Company signs contract with Frank Johnson for occupation of Mashonaland and resulting in the formation of the Pioneer Column

06-May-1890

Pioneer Column sets off from Kenilworth - Kimberly destined for Macloutsie

28-Jun-1890
Police and Pioneer Forces leave Macloutsie for the occupation of Mashonaland
01-Jul-1890
Pioneers reach the Shashi River and establish Fort Tuli
10-Jul-1890
Lieut. Col. EG Pennefather commanded the advance column of Pioneers and BSAC Police towards Mashonaland
12-Sep-1890
Pioneer Column reaches their destination and establish Fort Salisbury in Mashonaland
01-Oct-1890
Disbandment of the Pioneer Column
11-May-1891
Portuguese occupation of Macequece (Massikessi) driven back by BSAC Police elements
11-Jun-1891
Anglo-Portuguese Treaty signed
Jan-1892
Establishment of Mashonaland Mounted Police (MMP - a forerunner of the BSA Police)
1893
Formation of the Matabeleland Mounted Police (also a forerunner of the BSA Police) It seems clear that both the Mashonaland and Matabeleland Mount Police units came under the umbrella of the Rhodesian Mounted Police - commanded by Captain - The Hon. Charles White.
18-Jul-1893
Matabele raids against Shona tribes people into Fort Victoria area leading to the 'Lendy Incident' and - consequently - Matabele War
03-Oct-1893
Commencement of the Matabele War
24-Oct-1893
'Battle of Shangani'
1-Nov-1893
'Battle of Bembezi' - defeat of Matabele army
04-Nov-1893
BSA Company forces occupy Bulawayo
Dec-1893
Matabele War comes to an end
04-Dec-1893
Last stand of Major Allan Wilson against the Matabele on the Shangani River
1894
Matabeleland Native Police formed and placed under the control of 'Native Commissioners'
18-Jul-1894
BSA Company's jurisdiction over Matabeleland confirmed by Order in Council and the boundaries of Rhodesia were set down
03-May-1895
British South Africa Company's territories formally named Rhodesia
01-Aug-1895
Lt. Col. Henry F White DSO assumed command of the Rhodesian Mounted Police as Chief Commissioner.
29-Dec-1895
Dr Leander Jameson launches Raid into Transvaal with 500 BSAC police from Pitsani and Mafeking. Read More...
02-Jan-1896
Battle of Doornkop at which Dr Jameson surrenders - was arrested and interned in Johannesburg with surviving elements of the raid
22-Mar-1896
Matabele Rebellion commences - 141 settlers murdered
1-Apr-1896
Bechuanaland Border Police renamed as the Bechuanaland Mounted Police (BMP)
14-Jun-1896
Mashona Rebellion breaks out - 119 settlers murdered
01-Oct-1896
The Matabeleland and Mashonaland Mounted Police forces amalgamated to form the British South Africa Police
22-Oct-1896
Matabele Rebellion settled through negotiation with rebellion Chiefs
29-Dec-1896
Fixed establishment set for No. 2 (Matabeleland) and No. 3 (Mashonaland) Divisions of the force - which became known as the British South Africa Police - under the control of Colonel Sir Richard Martin
29-Dec-1896
Lt. Colonel JS Nicholson assumes command of Matabeleland Division and Lt. Colonel the Honourable FRWE de Moleyns - DSO - assumes command of Mashonaland Division
2-Aug-1897
Bechuanaland Mounted Police (BMP) becomes the BSAP No.1 (Bechuanaland Division)
27-Oct-1897
Mashona Rebellion quelled
12-Oct-1899
Anglo-Boer War Starts
17-May-1900
Relief of Mafeking involving elements of BSA Police predecessor forces
22-Jan-1901
Death of Queen Victoria
26-Mar-1902
Death of Mr. Cecil John Rhodes
31-May-1902
Boer Surrender - the Treaty of Vereeniging - signed at Pretoria
1903
No. 2 (Matabeleland) and No. 3 (Mashonaland) Divisions united under one command in terms of Police Ordinance of 1903
11-Mar-1903
BSAP No.1 (Bechuanaland) Division abolished - the force becoming known as the Bechuanaland Protectorate Police (BPP)
Oct-1903
Lt. Col. William Bodle appointed Commissioner of Police
1-Oct-1903
First Commandant Depot - Sub-Inspector H Chapman - appointed on amalgamation of Mashonaland and Matabele Divisions
5-Oct-1903
Commandant General orders 11 separate and complete Troops - of which one is a Depot Troop to which all recruits would be posted - and perceived to be the birth of Morris Depot
1907
First Fingerprint Bureau established in Rhodesia
1-Jan-1908
African Police training camp established on the site of what was to become Tomlinson Depot after moving from Lorelie Farm - east of Salisbury
1909
Control of the BSA Police transferred to the Imperial Government under the control of one Commissioner of Police
1909
Lt. Col. J H Fuller appointed Commissioner of Police
1911
Maj. Gordon Vallancy Drury appointed Commissioner of Police
1913
Criminal Investigation Department established
2-Nov-1913
Maj. Gen Sir AHM Edwards appointed Commissioner of Police
Apr-1913
District Police were organised into Regimental troops (mounted) - later found to be unsuitable
Apr-1913
The country was divided into six police districts - coinciding with magisterial districts
1914
Chief Supt. Joseph C Brundell (1142) becomes first Officer Commanding Criminal Investigation Department
4-Aug-1914
Great Britain declares war on Germany
21-Sep-1914
Occupation of the German civil post of Schuckmannsburg - Caprivi Strip - German West Africa - by elements of BSA Police
12-Aug-1915
Formation of first BSA Police Infantry Company - 'A' Company - for service in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland border with German East Africa
17-Aug-1915
Departure BSA Police Infantry 'A' Company to the North
1-Feb-1923
Col. Essex Capell appointed Commissioner of Police
Southern Rhodesia
12-Sep-1923
Government by the Chartered Company dissolved and Southern Rhodesia annexed to Great Britain and Sir John Chancellor appointed Governor.
1-Oct-1923
Responsible Government established in Southern Rhodesia and Sir Charles Coghlan appointed first Premier.
12-Feb-1926
Col. Alfred Tomlinson appointed Acting Commissioner of Police
13-May-1926
Col. George Stops appointed Commissioner of Police
13-Feb-1933
Col. John S Morris appointed Commissioner of Police
1936
Col. JS Morris – Commissioner of Police – appointed Commanding Officer of all Southern Rhodesian Forces
1-Aug-39
Police Reserve formed in terms of the Defence Act 1926 and Major HH Rochester (855) appointed Officer Commanding Police Reserve
1941
Women’s Auxiliary Police Service formed
The Federal Era
1953

Federal Intelligence and Security Bureau (FISB) formed under the directorship of Basil 'Bob' de Quehen (3136) - a former member of the force

1953

Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland comprising the two Rhodesias (Northern and Southern) and Nyasaland formed

Aug-1953

Elements of BSA Police deployed to Nyasaland to assist with the quelling of nationalist disturbances

1954
Col. Arthur S Hickman (2622) appointed Commissioner of Police
1954
Establishment of the Police C Reserve - known as the Field Reserve
12-Feb-1954
HRH Queen Elizabeth - the Queen Mother - becomes Honorary Commissioner of the BSA Police force, a post she held until 1980.
6-Nov-1955
Col. Harold Jackson (2853) appointed Commissioner of Police
13-Sep-1956
BSA Police Contingent deployed to the Copperbelt in Northern Rhodesia during large scale strikes on the mines
1957
Police Reserve Airwing Formed
12-Sep-57
Southern Rhodesian African National Congress (ANC) formed
13-Mar-58
Mr. Basil G Spurling (3100) appointed Commissioner of Police
1959
The Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters moves from Bulawayo to Salisbury to premises within Morris Depot.
25-Feb-59
Banning of ANC and launch of Operation Spider - the arrests and detention of 500 leading nationalists
28-Mar-1959
BSA Police Contingent deployed to Nyasaland to contain natonalist disturbances
29-Dec-59
Formation of the National Democratic Party (NDP) comprising former members of SRANC - under leadership of Michael Mawema
1960
Establishment of the Special Police Reserve
1960
Women Field Reserve force established
12-Sep-60
Freedom of the City of Salisbury conferred on the British South Africa Police
Dec-1961
Banning of the NDP
20-Sep-1962
Banning of Zimbabwe African Peoples Union (ZAPU)
2-Jan-1963
Police Forensic Science Laboratory established in Salisbury
26-Apr-1963
Mr. Frank Barfoot (3342) appointed Commissioner of Police
Aug-1963
Seeds sewn for the formation of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) under the pseudonym of 'The Department of the Prime Minister' with the impending break-up of the Federation.
Aug-1963
Ken Flower (3654) - member of the BSA Police forceÿ(served as Deputy Commissioner until 1967) - appointed to form and nominated to be first Director General of CIO
8-Aug-1963
Zimbabwe African Nationalist Union (ZANU) formed by Ndabaningi Sithole
12-Sep-1963
Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) - referred to as the PM's Department - formed under instruction of Prime Minister Winston Field
Oct-1963
Prime Ministerial Mandate signed by Mr Winston Field creating the Central Intelligence Organisation including the creation of the BSA Police Special Branch (also known as Branch I - Internal)
31-Dec-1963
Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland dissolved
1964
Formation of Volunteer Additional Force (VAT) police anti-terrorist units - comprising Regular and Reserve police - known then as the 'Sinoia Commandos'
4-Jul-1964
Nationalist insurgents set up a crude road block in Melsetter area and stab Petros Oberholtzer to death in their first offensive action in the country.
26-Aug-1964
State of Emergency declared and Zimbabwe African Nationalist Union (ZANU) banned
The Rhodesian UDI Period
11-Nov-65
Unilateral Declaration of Independence
29-Apr-1966
'The Battle of Sinoia' - first major incursions of Nationalist terrorists countered on the Angwa River outside Sinoia
18-May-1966
The Viljoen Murders by Nationalist terrorists at Nevada Farm in the Hartley Area
1-Aug-1966
Formation of Police Anti Terrorist Unit (PATU) under Superintendent Bill Bailey (3333) based on principles of Volunteer Additional Training
1967
South African Police sent to assist Rhodesian forces
3-Jan-1968
Mr. James Spink (3743) appointed Commissioner of Police
The Rhodesian Republic Period
2-Mar-1970
Rhodesia declares itself a Republic
27-Jun-1970
Mr. Sydney Bristow (3844) appointed Commissioner of Police
1971
Women's A Reserve formed to perform normal police duties in line with their A Reserve male colleagues
1-Dec-1972
Operation Hurricane - Joint Operations Command (JOC) Bindura - commences joint force operations against Zimbabwe African Nationalist Liberation Army (ZANLA) elements in the north eastern - mostly Mashonaland Province - area
21-Dec-1972
Attack on Altena Farm - Centenary introduces a new phase of the ZANLA offensive
Jul-1973
First intake of 42 National Service Patrol Officers commence training at Morris Depot - Salisbury
6-Feb-1974
Mr. Peter Sherren (3862) appointed Commissioner of Police
1-Feb-1976
Operation Thrasher - JOC Umtali - commences joint force operations again ZANLA terrorists in the Manicaland Province
1-Feb-1976
Operation Repulse - JOC Fort Victoria - commences joint anti terrorist operations in the south east of the country - mostly in Victoria Province
1-Aug-1976
Operation Tangent - JOC Bulawayo - to combat the Zimbabwe Peoples Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) offensive mostly in Matabeleland commences operations
1-Sep-1976
91 Members of the African police promoted to the previously exclusive European ranks in a programme of black advancement
1-Aug-1977
Operation Grapple - JOC Gwelo - commences to combat both ZIPRA and ZANLA elements in the central Rhodesian province of Midlands
6-Feb-1978
Mr. Peter Allum (3939) appointed Commissioner of Police
3-Mar-1978
Internal agreement of the 'Salisbury Four' - Chirau - Muzorewa - Sithole and Smith
21-Mar-1978
Transitional Government comes to power out of the Internal multi-party agreement of the 'Salisbury Four'
1-Jun-1978
Operation Splinter - JOC Kariba - commences to combat waterborne infiltration into Zimbabwe-Rhodesia via Lake Kariba out of Zambia
3-Sep-1978
Air Rhodesia civilian aircraft - Hunyani - shot down by terrorist missile and survivors murdered
12-Feb-1979
Second civilian aircraft - Umniati - shot down killing all on board
The Zimbabwe Rhodesia Period
20-May-1979
Zimbabwe-Rhodesia declared a Republic
1-Jun-1979
Abel Muzorewa assumes office as the first black Prime Minister of newly named Zimbabwe-Rhodesia
10-Sep-1979
Lancaster House Constitutional talks conference open in London - United Kingdom
2-Dec-1979
Lancaster House Constitutional talks concluded with agreement between the parties paving the way to all party majority rule elections and a ceasefire
Return to British Rule
12-Dec-1979
Lord Soames arrives in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia - to resume control as British Governor General of Rhodesia
15-Dec-1979
Ceasefire Agreement signed between the conflicting factions
21-Dec-1979
Formal signing of the Lancaster House Agreement - restoring Rhodesia to 'legality'
10-Feb-1980
Robert Mugabe survives assassination attempt at Fort Victoria
27-Feb-80
First 'Majority Rule' - all party General Elections commence and run over a period of five days
Zimbabwe Independence
18-Apr-1980
The newly named Zimbabwe achieves and celebrates its Independence
31-Jul-80
Cessation of the British South Africa Police and inauguration of its successor - the Zimbabwe Republic Police