Evolution of Law Enforcement: From Antiquity to Modernity

The Evolution of Police Roles in Antiquity

In ancient times, the role of the police varied significantly across civilizations. In Ancient Egypt, functions consisted of preventing and punishing crimes. In China and the Inca Empire, these functions operated more like espionage as a means to control the citizenry. In Ancient Greece, the main mission was to protect the ruler and the city's treasures, though these functions later evolved into more recognizable "police" duties. In Ancient Rome, there was an effective and reasonable method of law enforcement with more structured functions.

The turning point occurred with the fall of the Roman Empire, leading toward a feudal system where individuals paid tribute to a lord in exchange for protection. Between the 14th and 15th centuries, motivated by economic development, the feudal state fell into crisis, and the modern state was created. During this period in Spain, Magistrates exercised control over local authorities and conveyed the decisions of monarchs. From the 16th century, their powers increased and became better defined, though they remained at the service of royal power.

Between the 16th and 18th centuries, stable public security bodies began to appear, improving in both expertise and hierarchy. The first modern models, equipped with judicial and executive powers (arrest, trial, and punishment), were formed as follows:

• Spain (1824): The General Police of the Kingdom.
• Russia (1825): The Okhranka.
• London (1829): The Metropolitan Police, recognized as the first police force organized by civilians along modern lines.

Historical Security and Police Forces in Spain

In the Middle Ages, the Visigoths utilized "executioners" as antecedents to authority agents. During the time of the Arabs, Cordoba—the only European city with more than one million inhabitants—had a police force called the shurta, which commanded the derrab, a type of armed police.

In the 12th century, several roles existed, including the Council Walkers, the Faithful, and the Guarantors or Porters, as well as Goalkeepers and Goalkeepers of the Beam; these roles persisted until 1857. In 1476, the Holy Brotherhood (Santa Hermandad) was instituted in Castile; it is considered possibly the first police force in Europe and lasted until 1834. In 1609, King Philip II issued a royal decree that maintained the Goalkeepers of the Yard and added the Sheriff.

In Spain, some authors also suggest that the Brotherhoods against criminals, the oldest dating from 1190, were direct antecedents to the police. Another significant figure was the Magistrate. While their roles were defined from the 16th century, they became increasingly extensive over time. Finally, in 1824, during the reign of Fernando VII, the first modern model was established, known as "The General Police of the Kingdom."