The Police Department/System was first established by whom?

The police system was first formally established during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), the second Caliph of Islam. Recognizing the need to maintain public order, enforce justice, and protect the rights of citizens in the growing Islamic state, Hazrat Umar (RA) introduced an organized law enforcement system that functioned as the first structured police department in Islamic history.

Before this, the Islamic community relied on local tribal leaders or community elders to handle disputes and maintain security. Hazrat Umar (RA), with his profound administrative skills and deep understanding of justice, saw the importance of a centralized system to ensure consistent enforcement of Islamic law and societal rules. The police, or Shurta as it was called, were responsible for maintaining public safety, preventing crime, apprehending criminals, and ensuring that the law of the land was applied fairly to all individuals, including the wealthy and influential.

The establishment of this system reflected Hazrat Umar’s (RA) commitment to justice, discipline, and governance. He also appointed officers with integrity and strong moral character, ensuring that the police served as a model for accountability and fairness. This pioneering system became the foundation for subsequent Islamic administrations and influenced governance practices in many Muslim regions for centuries.