‘Bahrain Police’ reform pushed

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The Shura Council yesterday approved a draft law to amend the Public Security Forces Law of 1982, endorsing a report by its Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee and backing changes linked to Royal Decree No. 26 of 2025.

The bill seeks to update the legal basis for the Ministry of Interior’s structure after recent internal changes, refresh existing posts and add new categories within the police’s membership.

It also supports the shift in naming to ‘Bahrain Police’, as set out in the draft.

Authority

Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf, His Excellency Nawaf Al Maawda, told members the proposal leaves the core chain of authority intact.

“The draft law does not change the essence of the powers, and the Minister of Interior remains the competent authority to issue decisions and regulations and to distribute tasks as is currently applied,” he said.

H.E. Rashid Bu Najma, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior for Legislative Authority Affairs, said the legal text needed to catch up with changes already made inside the ministry.

Amendments

“The administrative changes within the Ministry of Interior and the creation of new sectors and titles required updated legal amendments to fit the new security structure,” he said.

Committee chairman Dr Ali Al Rumaihi said the draft reflects the pace of change in Bahrain’s security bodies and tied the name change to the force’s long record.

“Bahrain Police is one of the oldest national institutions, and Bahrain is proud of the history of its police and what they have offered in service and achievements,” he said.

Results

He also referred to results linked to open prisons and alternative penalties, citing a 97 per cent success rate and a reoffending rate of about 2 per cent.

Dr Jehad Al Fadhel, Shura Council Second Deputy Chair, said the amendments strengthen the police’s security and social role in protecting public safety and property, and stressed the value of prevention in policing.

Other members called for ongoing training and clear rules for recruitment and promotion to match international benchmarks.