Evolution of Spanish Public Order and Security Forces (1812-1872)
The Constitution of 1812 and the National Militia
The 1812 Constitution refers to the militia in Articles 362 to 365. Each province was to have a body of National Militia, composed of inhabitants of these provinces. It had police functions, dependent on local councils, often lacking coordination. This militia was separate from the regular army and composed of two branches: infantry and cavalry. The Constitution of 1812, which initiated the constitutional era, notably passed without a comprehensive declaration of rights and freedoms. This encouraged a trend, repeated over centuries, to enhance governmental administration against military influence. However, this was largely ineffective, as public order remained under military jurisdiction and...