Saudi Police Ranks: Structure and Hierarchy Explained

Saudi Police Ranks

Saudi police ranks are divided into two main categories:

Officers' Ranks

• Lieutenant.
• Lieutenant First Class.
• Captain.
• Major.
• Colonel.
• Brigadier General.
• Major General.
• General.
• Commander.
• Senior Commander.

Enlisted Personnel Ranks

• Soldier.
• Soldier First Class.
• Sergeant.
• Junior Sergeant.
• Corporal.
• Senior Corporal.
• Head Corporal.

Roles of the Police in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

These responsibilities include:

• Assisting official authorities in enforcing laws and regulations that require implementation.
• Ensuring order and security during major public events, such as the Hajj pilgrimage, sports matches, and visits by dignitaries and foreign delegations.
• Investigating civil disputes and complaints, referring them to Sharia courts, and executing the resulting judicial rulings.
• Issuing vehicle licenses and driver’s permits.
• Monitoring and investigating traffic violations.
• Protecting individuals from road-related dangers and managing traffic flow.
• Investigating, apprehending, and combating drug-related crimes.
• Preventing crimes, arresting suspects, and prosecuting them in the appropriate courts.
• Preventing criminal acts before they occur.

The Police Force in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The police force originally existed in the cities of Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah, serving as an instrument for enforcing the orders of local rulers without coordination with other agencies. Its authority was limited to city boundaries and did not extend to rural areas or remote regions. When King Abdulaziz entered the Hejaz in 1343 AH, he established a general police directorate in Mecca and linked it to a representative in the Hejaz to promote national security and assist in safeguarding pilgrims visiting the Holy House. Police departments were set up in Medina, Mecca, and Jeddah, assigned various duties including passport services and monitoring foreign residents.

In 1346 AH, a royal decree unified all police departments under a single central leadership based in Mecca. As a result, the Hejaz representative issued a police regulation outlining powers, duties, and responsibilities. Over time, the police force expanded its jurisdiction across the entire kingdom, diversified its branches, and evolved significantly. New police departments were established in Taif, Riyadh, Al-Ahsa, Abha, Najran, and Gizan. The police also took on additional roles such as firefighting, caring for orphans, supporting the disabled, managing traffic, handling immigration and residency affairs for foreigners, and enforcing moral conduct (commanding good and forbidding evil). This responsibility was integrated with the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which became linked to the police in Mecca and other regional offices. In 1350 AH, a royal decree established the Ministry of Interior for the first time in the kingdom, incorporating general security under its jurisdiction.

Military Service

Military service remains a dream for many individuals, who strive diligently to join this branch of service to contribute fully to national defense. The military structure in Saudi Arabia differs from that of other nations, encompassing diverse branches such as air and naval forces—each playing a vital role in maintaining the stability and strength of the nation.

References

1. ↑ Ministry of Interior (2022), "Military Ranks", Ministry of Interior, accessed on January 12, 2022. Adapted.
2. ↑ Ministry of Interior (2022), "General Security Responsibilities", Ministry of Interior, accessed on January 12, 2022. Adapted.
3. ↑ Ministry of Interior (2022), "The Police Force in the Kingdom", Ministry of Interior, accessed on January 12, 2022. Adapted.