6.1. Policing in Ancient Times 
TIFFANY MOREY 
The development of policing in the United States coincided with the development of policing in England. 
In fact, the United States legal system traces its roots back to the common law of England. However, we 
can go all the way back before 1750 BC to see how forms of policing were common during ancient times, 
to what is now known as kin policing. Kin policing is when a tribe or clan policed their own tribe, and it 
often turned bloody quickly. The blood feuds would go on for a long period of time. 
1 
However, it is estimated, also sometime around 1750 BC, that the Code Hammurabi was engraved in 
stone. This code detailed 282 sections of how one individual should treat another individual in society, and 
the penalties for such violations. The code is seen as the beginnings of law and justice. Around 1000 BC, 
Mosaic Law emerged. This law was a new form of rational law and hoped to predict what behaviors were 
prohibited. In Mosaic Law, the ruling class did not create the law. The Code of Hammurabi and Mosaic Law 
formed the ladder that would eventually lead to the creation of policing, as we now know it today. 
2 
Peisistratus (605-527 BC), who was the ruler of Athens, has been called the father of formal policing. 
During this time of growth, new Greek city-states were being developed and blood feuds that lasted decades 
had to be quashed. Kin policing slowly washed away due to its barbaric nature and new doors opened for a 
modern city driven policing model. The first police service in Athens was developed by Sparta and it is often 
looked at as the first secret service. 
3 
Augustus Caesar (27 BC), who was the first emperor of Rome, was instrumental in creating what is 
now called the urban cohorts. The urban cohorts were men from the Praetorian Guard (Augustus’ army), 
charged with ensuring peace in the city. As crime rose and became more violent, Augustus formed the vigils, 
which were not affiliated with the Praetorian Guard, but were charged with fighting crime and fires. The 
vigils were given the power to protect and arrest. 
4 
From 6 AD until the 12th century, Rome was patrolled day and night, by a public police force. With the 
fall of the Roman Empire, kings then assumed the role of protection. From the 12th-18th centuries, kings in 
England appointed sheriffs. At age fifteen, boys could volunteer with the posse comitatus to go after wanted 
felons. Constables, a police officer with limited authority, assisted the sheriffs with serving summons and 
1. Berg, B., (1999). Policing in a modern society. Oxford: Elsevier. 
2. Berg, B., (1999). Policing in a modern society. Oxford: Elsevier. 
3. Berg, B., (1999). Policing in a modern society. Oxford: Elsevier. 
4. Berg, B., (1999). Policing in a modern society. Oxford: Elsevier. 
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