Zambia Police Force Cap Badge

Chromed metal cap badge by Firmin.

The Zambia Police Force cap badge symbolizes the nation’s law enforcement authority and its transition from colonial rule to independence. Before Zambia’s independence in 1964, law enforcement was under the Northern Rhodesia Police (NRP), whose cap badge bore British insignia, reflecting colonial administration.

After independence, the Zambia Police Force was established, and a new cap badge was introduced to reflect Zambia’s sovereignty. The badge typically featured a Zambian eagle, symbolizing freedom and vigilance, along with other national elements such as a shield or motto, representing law and justice.

During the early post-independence years, the Zambia Police Force played a crucial role in maintaining internal security, especially amid regional instability in Southern Africa. Over time, the force evolved, and in 1999, it was officially renamed the Zambia Police Service, emphasizing a shift from a militarized force to a community-centered policing approach.

The Zambia Police Force cap badge remains a significant piece of national heritage, reflecting the country’s journey from colonial rule to self-governance and law enforcement modernization. Today, older versions of the badge are valued by collectors and historians as symbols of Zambia’s policing history.