From Royal Entourages to Modern Policing: Brunei's Security Evolution

Health · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before a formal police force existed, Brunei's security rested on a single official who commanded the sultan's escort and held the power of life and death. Discover how a colonial merger, a tragic murder, and rapid oil wealth transformed this ancient system into a modern national force.

Before 1906, Brunei's communal peace was managed by thirteen government officers. The most prominent was the Pengiran Temenggong, who served as the sultan's protector and escort. This role was both symbolic and severe; the Temenggong commanded the armed forces and held judicial authority under the Brunei Code of Law, which allowed him to impose the death penalty without seeking the sultan's prior approval.

The transition to a formal system began in 1906 when two officers from the Straits Settlements Police Force arrived in Brunei Town. Because Brunei lacked the infrastructure and skilled labor to maintain its own force, it merged administratively with the Colony of Labuan. This meant that for fifteen years, Brunei relied on pooled resources and British administration. Yet, tensions arose during this period, encompassing a deficit of public confidence and conduct problems, because the unit consisted mostly of Malay and Sikh personnel hailing from the Straits Settlements.

A turning point occurred in 1916 when a Sikh policeman from Labuan killed a British resident, highlighting the urgent need for local governance. This, combined with a massive spike in resource export earnings—which jumped from about $51,000 in 1907 to over $201,000 by 1920—provided the financial and political impetus for independence. On January 1, 1921, the Brunei Police Force was officially established as a distinct entity, eventually expanding its reach to include specialized units for sea patrol, VIP escorts, and public order.

The force faced significant hurdles in localizing its ranks due to low literacy rates in the early 20th century. To combat this, officers like Chief Inspector G. C. McAfee introduced literacy allowances and established a shooting range in 1923. The organization's identity was further tested during the Japanese occupation (1941–1945), where the hierarchy was dismantled and the force was repurposed to serve Japanese military aims, a period that severely damaged public trust until the post-war rebuilding began.

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