Cape Mounted Police

Cape Mounted Police (originally Cape Police) (1882-1913)
Common nameCape Mounted Police
AbbreviationCMP
Agency overview
Formed1882
Preceding agency
  • Various
Dissolved1913
Superseding agencySouth African Army
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionSouth Africa
Legal jurisdictionCape of Good Hope
General nature

The Cape Mounted Police (originally Cape Police) was the principal law enforcement agency of the Cape Colony during its last three decades. In addition to its ordinary policing duties, it was a para-military organisation, which saw active service in several campaigns and operations, including the Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902). The force was fully militarised in 1913 and transferred to the new South African Army as a mounted rifle regiment.