Few people know that the modern police actually appeared not so long ago. The first guardians of the law began their official activities in the 1800s. As a rule, in those days, these were volunteers who worked as private security guards and kept order on the streets of cities and in villages. In addition, they helped citizens resolve important disputes and adhere to the framework of the law.
There is also information that in the times of Ancient Rome, as well as Egypt, there were people who performed similar duties.
Ancient Egyptian police trained monkeys
The earliest mentions of police officers date back to the times of Ancient Egypt. Experts managed to decipher some of the hieroglyphs and images in order to understand that at that time there were armed guards who served at the homes of wealthy landowners.
Judging by the images that were left by the ancient Egyptians, it becomes obvious that in those days the guards also trained the monkeys, who helped them if they managed to find the crows. Aggressive animals pounced on the criminal and began to torment him. By the 15th century BC, Egypt also had a kind of elite police force, which partially performed the tasks of the military. These were the people who guarded the borders located near the palace and rich houses.
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In Rome, police officers fought fires
In ancient Greece, slaves were armed, who performed the role of law enforcement agencies. In addition, they were called the guardians of the city. There were also separate units called Vigiles. They received money and were considered more highly organized professionals who could isolate people who were too aggressive in a timely manner.
They were also hired in order to rein in the slaves themselves. At the same time, the Vigiles groups were also responsible for fighting the fires. For example, if the townspeople began to riot, then they often set fire to buildings, elite police officers had to immediately respond to such incidents and prevent the spread of fire.
The police in ancient China were women
There have been prefects in China for thousands of years. They were in every state and were appointed to this position by a vote of judges. However, the prefect had rather limited powers. The judges, in turn, had to keep accountable to the current rulers, who at that time were emperors. Sub-prefects worked for the prefects. These people were responsible for resolving various disputes, and they also had the power to use the laws and apply all their knowledge in order to investigate certain crimes.
In this regard, the police structure in China has existed for thousands of years in the form that we have seen relatively recently. In addition, during all this time, not only men, but also women could work as prefects in China.
Aggressive constables of England
In the middle of the 20th century, criminal justice appeared in Europe. After the Norman conquest took place, the Anglo-Saxon monarchy decided to introduce a special concept called the "parish constable." In fact, it was an ordinary city officer who had to not only prevent the crime, but also punish it.
These employees also had to look after the village supplies and drive off petty thieves. They were allowed to use brute force when necessary. As a rule, volunteers were hired as constables, who were not paid for it. Of course, these were the people who simply enjoyed the fact that they could legally beat others. A similar practice existed in England until 1829.
In the 19th century, uniformed police appeared in Paris for the first time
After numerous urban coups, revolutions and other unrest that took place in France during difficult times, it was necessary to create a small force of civilian police. However, this practice was stopped by Napoleon I.
On February 17, 1800, the first police prefecture appeared. After that, the officers of these bodies began to spread throughout all cities, and very soon there were more than 5,000 of them. However, the police, who worked in the same uniform, appeared in Paris only 30 years later. Since then, all employees of these bodies had to wear the same clothes so that they could be easily recognized by ordinary citizens.
The first US police officers wore regular clothes
London's success was quickly noticed in the United States. The first police officers appeared in Boston in 1938. After that, people in New York and Philadelphia began to hire people for this position. Initially, it was thought that employees would also wear the same uniform. But they refused because they were mocked by the citizens. Therefore, up until 1854, US police used their everyday clothes.
Later, sheriffs appeared who worked mainly in the rural areas of the country. They ignored uniform rules for decades. Instead, they wore regular clothes to which they clipped the sheriff's star. In some states, sheriffs still wear their usual clothes.
In the late 60s, the police suddenly started wearing jackets
As the public was extremely dissatisfied with the fact that police often used force outside the case, police departments began to appear. In 1969, employees of the city of Menlo Park decided to completely get lost in the crowd, so as not to cause outrage. They started wearing dark green blazers, black trousers, shirts and coats. They simply put weapons in their pockets. Then hats and sunglasses went into business.
This method worked, and people began to treat them with great respect. In turn, the police stopped using power for no reason. However, after a while they began to be recognized by their jackets. Attacks on police officers increased. In the end, it was decided to return to uniforms, which should instill at least some fear in citizens. At first, they used military uniforms, and later the police had their own specialized clothing in dark blue.
This is the story of the formation of the police, which began many centuries ago.