Law enforcement in the Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands have their own police force called the Marshall Islands Police, which takes care of local safety and order. While the United States helps protect the country from bigger dangers, the local police handle everyday issues in the communities.

There are also smaller police groups on different atolls and municipalities, which are like tiny islands or towns, that help keep things safe in their specific areas. These local teams work together to make sure people live safely and follow the rules.

Having their own police helps the Marshall Islands manage their own affairs and keep their communities strong and secure.

History

After World War II, the United States took control of the Marshall Islands from Japan. The islands became a small nation in the 1980s with a special agreement with the United States for security.

Before, private workers handled police work on U.S. military bases there. Later, this changed, and federal employees took over police duties. Some private workers still help with security tasks.

Organisation

There are two police groups that work under the name Kwajalein Police, also known as the Kalgov Police. There is also a separate police group on the U.S. military base on Kwajalein Atoll, handled by the Department of the Army Civilian Police from the United States.

A Marshall Islands police officer named Clemson Jormelu helps lead the Marshall Islands Police as part of a group helping the Solomon Islands.

The Marshall Islands has sent police officers to help the Solomon Islands since May 2006.

Events

In December, the police in the Marshall Islands found a large boat with a lot of illegal drugs on it. It was the biggest drug find ever in the Marshall Islands.

Sometimes, more drugs wash up on the shores, but not everyone reports it. This can happen because of ocean currents. In 2021, a place called Arkansas started letting people from the Marshall Islands work in their local police, even if they still kept their citizenship from the Marshall Islands. In 2024, the Marshall Islands started worrying about people who had done bad things in the United States and were sent back to live there.

Criminal rates

The Marshall Islands has faced challenges with people being sent back from the United States. This happens because people from the Marshall Islands can live and work in the U.S. under special rules, but they may be sent home if they break those rules.

The government is also worried about violent actions by criminals that can harm the peaceful communities on the islands.