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Everyday Judiciary matters, civil and criminal, are put before a Senior Magistrate resident in the islands. He also acts as Coroner when sudden or violent deaths occur. A Chief Justice from Britain visits at least once a year to handle any more complicated or serious cases. Generally there is very little crime in the islands, with a high police detection rate. The court system closely resembles the system in England and Wales. The islands have a Court of Appeal and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sits as the final appellate Court. |
Law enforcement in the Falkland Islands is the responsibility of the Royal Falkland Islands Police, a territorial police force . The force, established in 1846 was granted the prefix ‘Royal’ by HM The Queen on 1st January 1992.
Police cover for the entire islands is provided by the control desk with a listening watch on marine and civilian emergency radio frequencies answering 999 calls. All military police are also sworn in as Falkland Islands Royal Police reserve Constables giving civil and military policing to the islands.
The Police Ordinance 2000 governs the Royal Falkland Islands Police who uphold Falkland Islands laws with a combination of local ordinances and English Statutes laws.
The force is made up of 12 Constables, 4 detective Constables, a number of reserve Constables, two sergeants, a detective sergeant, an inspector and a Chief Police Officer.
The prison, contained within the Police Station, was hit by a British missile during the 1982 conflict and the building was badly damaged. Refurbishment was completed by 2009 and the new jail was opened by the visiting Princess Royal on 24 March 2009. |
