[1] The service has its origins in the Bechuanaland Mounted Police, which was formed on 1 July 1884.

In October 1889 a royal charter established the British South Africa Company's Police, which absorbed part of the BBP.

[2] This force recruited few Bechuanaland natives, instead it mostly recruited black constables in Basutoland (modern Lesotho), Rhodesia (modern Zimbabwe) and Zambia.

The force is divided into 5 divisions: The BPS is divided into various branches and the most notable are: The SSG is the paramilitary branch of the BPS and it is run along military lines.

Police officers in this branch are called operatives and they undergo 3 months military training upon completion of the mandatory 12 months Police training.