Editing Police (section)

==== India ====
Law enforcement systems existed in the various kingdoms and empires of [[History of India|ancient India]]. The [[Apastamba Dharmasutra]] prescribes that kings should appoint officers and subordinates in the towns and villages to protect their subjects from crime. Various inscriptions and literature from ancient India suggest that a variety of roles existed for law enforcement officials such as those of a constable, thief catcher, watchman, and detective.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sharma|first=Anupam|title=Police in Ancient India|date=2004|journal=The Indian Journal of Political Science|volume=65|issue=1|pages=101–110|jstor=41855800|issn=0019-5510}}</ref> In ancient India up to medieval and early modern times, [[kotwal]]s were in charge of local law enforcement.<ref>Shah, Giriraj (1993). ''Image Makers: An Attitudinal Study of Indian Police.'' Abhinav Publications. p. 95. {{ISBN|978-81-7017-295-6}}.</ref>