The Turkish National Police Organization Turns 174!

The history of today's Turkish National Police Organization dates back to 1299, the year the Ottoman state was founded in Söğüt and Domaniç. After Osman Bey captured Karahisar, he entrusted the administration of the city to his son Orhan Bey, appointing his trusted friend Gündüz Alp alongside him as subaşı (chief of security). Gündüz Alp is recognized in today's terms as the first police chief in Turkish history. During the Ottoman era, the police organization remained part of the military for many years. Immediately after the conquest of Istanbul, security authorities were composed of the Grand Vizier, the Janissary Agha, the Falakacı, the Cebecibaşı, the Kaptanpaşa, the Topçubaşı, the Bostancıbaşı, the Kadı, and the Böcekçibaşı.



April 10, 1845

The year 1845 holds great significance for the Turkish Police Organization. Until this date, the organization was referred to as the zabıta (municipal police); from April 10, 1845 (12 Rebiü'l Evvel 1261) onward, it was officially established under the name "police," and this date has since been recognized as the founding day of the Police Organization. Following the abolition of the Janissary system, law enforcement services in the capital and other cities developed in ways that far surpassed previous standards. However, since these services were carried out by separate institutions, continuous confusion arose. To eliminate this confusion, the organization established the first police force in Istanbul on April 10, 1845, with its duties outlined in the Police Regulations published on the same date. These regulations stated that the purpose of the police organization was to ensure public security. Despite all of this, confusion continued; police services in Istanbul were carried out by the Serasker (who replaced the Janissary Agha), the İhtisap Agha, and the organization bearing the name "Police," while in provincial regions, security services were provided by the Sipahi-based zaptiye forces and the Asakir-i Mansure regiments.



Today, in every corner of our sacred homeland, each and every one of us is grateful to our Police Organization, which successfully carries out such vital duties as protecting the indivisible integrity of both the Republic of Turkey and our people, ensuring the safety of citizens' lives and property, maintaining peace and public order, preventing crime, and bringing criminals to justice.

As the Tarifi Kolay family, we congratulate our Turkish Police Organization on its 174th Anniversary of Founding; we pray for God's mercy upon all law enforcement members who have given their lives for the nation, and we extend our deepest condolences to their grieving families. We also salute all of our law enforcement members with appreciation, respect, and love. May God protect you and never deprive us of your presence...