From the Pharaoh’s Guards to the Police of the Future: 5,000 Years of Security
Introduction: How Did the Idea of Policing Begin?
Thousands of years ago, one human stood up to protect another from danger. That simple moment marked the birth of security and policing. Over the span of 5,000 years, tools and methods have changed, but the essence has remained the same: protection and the preservation of order.
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Chapter One: The Roots of Policing in Ancient Civilizations
Policing in Pharaonic Egypt – Guardians of Ma’at
In the Nile Valley, the first organized security force emerged. The Medjay served as temple and palace guards, dressed in white garments and carrying staffs. They were not mere sentinels, but symbols of Ma’at—the divine principle of truth, order, and harmony.
Policing in Mesopotamia – Enforcers of Hammurabi’s Code
In Babylon, the world’s first written code of law—the Code of Hammurabi—was established. Law enforcement officials, known as diālu, were tasked with enforcing its articles. Strikingly, punishments for corrupt officers were often harsher than those for the criminals themselves.
Policing in Ancient China – Guardians of the Capital
In China, during the Zhou Dynasty, the first organized security system was founded. The Jin Yi (Capital Guards) were responsible for protecting the city and monitoring social order. Within Confucian thought, public security was regarded as the cornerstone of the “Heavenly Kingdom.”
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Chapter Two: Policing in Islamic Civilization
The Assas – Watchmen of the Night
With the rise of the Islamic state, policing gained a new institutional form. In Baghdad, Damascus, and Cairo, the Assas patrolled the streets by night, carrying torches, deterring thieves, and maintaining public order. They were commanded by the Sahib al-Shurta (Chief of Police), a position of high authority within the state.
Policing in Al-Andalus – Precision and Organization
In Al-Andalus, policing reached remarkable sophistication. Officers wore uniforms, carried badges, and underwent regular training. Specialized units existed for different purposes: market police, road patrols, and public facility protection, reflecting a level of organization comparable to modern systems.
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Chapter Three: The Birth of Modern Policing
Robert Peel and the London Metropolitan Police
In 1829, Sir Robert Peel founded the first modern civilian police force in London—the Metropolitan Police. His guiding principle was revolutionary: “The police are the public, and the public are the police.” This idea reshaped security into a civic institution and spread globally.
Policing in Egypt – From the Diwan al-Bolis to the Modern Era
In 1853, under Khedive Said, the Diwan al-Bolis (Bureau of Police) was established. Since then, the Egyptian police have grown into one of the oldest and most influential security institutions in the Middle East.
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Chapter Four: The Police of the Future – Security in the Age of AI
Cyber Police – Defending the Digital World
Today, the greatest challenges no longer come from thieves in marketplaces, but from hackers in cyberspace. Cyber police units now safeguard societies against digital crimes, from financial fraud to cyberterrorism.
Artificial Intelligence in Policing
Nations such as Dubai and Singapore have pioneered the use of artificial intelligence to predict criminal activity. Yet this development raises ethical questions: Should authorities act on crimes that have not yet been committed? Can algorithms be trusted to remain unbiased?
Humanity Comes First
Despite technological advances, the human element remains central. Values like integrity, compassion, and moral courage are what make policing effective. Technology is only a tool; the human conscience is the true guardian.
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Conclusion: The Eternal Guardian
From the temple guards of Thebes to Dubai’s smart traffic police, from the Assas of Baghdad to Riyadh’s cyber police, the essence of policing has remained constant: a human standing to protect another human.
Policing is not merely a profession, but an enduring human mission. It is the hand that shields the weak, the eye that safeguards justice, and the conscience that sustains order.
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Quick Police Facts
First women’s police unit: Los Angeles (1910).
First police force to use fingerprints: Argentina (1892).
Origin of the word Police: From the Greek Politeia, meaning “city administration.”
Saudi policing: From
traditional mutawa‘a patrols to one of the most advanced security systems in the world.
✍🏻 Written by Anas
