The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has launched the revised Public Order Management Policy and Operational Guidelines (3rd Edition) to ensure peace and safety during public gatherings and large-scale events, particularly ahead of the 2025 General Elections. The announcement was made during a meeting of senior police officers at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe on 14th April 2025.
Presiding over the meeting, Mr. Dennis Chipao, Commissioner of Police for Research and Planning (representing the Inspector General of Police), stated that the document marks a critical step forward in the MPS’s mission to uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, and ensure public safety.
“Public trust is earned through consistency, fairness, and transparency,” said Chipao. “The revised guidelines equip us with the tools to police with integrity and without bias. The world will be watching in 2025—let us show them that Malawi’s Police Service is a guardian of democracy, not just an enforcer of order.”
He emphasized that by adhering to the policy’s principles, officers will effectively manage public order in a way that fosters trust and cooperation with communities.
Mr. Azhar Malik, a UNDP representative, described the document as key in ensuring consistency with emerging regional standards and best practices in policing assemblies and demonstrations.
“This milestone strengthens democratic policing ahead of the 2025 elections, placing human rights, professionalism, and public trust at the heart of law enforcement,” said Malik.
The initiative was made possible through technical and finishing support of the Malawi Electoral Support Project (MESP) basket fund partners: the European Union in Malawi, the Embassy of Ireland, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Lilongwe, Malawi, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and USAID Malawi — all working together to strengthen democratic governance and peace in Malawi.
