The Eritrean Police Force (EPF) is the main

law enforcement agency A law enforcement agency (LEA) is any government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws. Jurisdiction LEAs which have their ability to apply their powers restricted in some way are said to operate within a jurisdiction. LEAs ...

Eritrea Eritrea ( ; ti, ኤርትራ, Ertra, ; ar, إرتريا, ʾIritriyā), officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of Eastern Africa, with its capital and largest city at Asmara. It is bordered by Ethiopia ...

; the organization is part of the Eritrean Police and Security Command which has its headquarters in the capital

Asmara Asmara ( ), or Asmera, is the capital and most populous city of Eritrea, in the country's Central Region. It sits at an elevation of , making it the sixth highest capital in the world by altitude and the second highest capital in Africa. The ...

. The EPF mission is to enforce and uphold the law, to prevent, detect and investigate crime and to control traffic. The force is described as being both bureaucratized and militarized, being dependent on military forces in dealing with emergency situations.
The Eritrean Police Force pre-existed the independent State of Eritrea, being the local police department within the larger Ethiopia. In order to consolidate its position, the Eritrean liberation movement penetrated the police and security apparatus in Eritrea and recruited followers and members from the Eritrean Police Force. In 1994 the Eritrean Police Force was established using personnel demobilized from the Eritrean Liberation People's Front. As of 2002, the E.P.F. lacked specialist branches.
As of 2014, the Commander of the Eritrean Police Force is

Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

Mehary Tsegai.

Diplomatic police 6CRIP

According to the U.S. Embassy in Eritrea, Eritrea has a diplomatic police unit, responsible for police protection at diplomatic missions in Asmara and for investigation of crimes involving diplomatic properties and personnel.

Military police

According to the U.S. Embassy in Eritrea, a

military police Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...

force also exists. Military police are responsible for responding to protests, riots, or other civil disturbances.

Training

Training consists in a 2-3 months-long training for those with prior military experience, while it is 5-months long for civilians.

Notes and references

{{Africa topic, Law enforcement in Government of Eritrea Law enforcement agencies in Africa Law enforcement in Eritrea