Changes

In the Medieval period, policing began to emerge from municipalities that faced increasing crime and banditry in areas where kings could not or did not send soldiers or guards to protect citizens. One development during the Anglo-Saxon period and later was the concept of sheriff, a government official in charge of a shire or county. The office derives from a revee, who were officials responsible in a shire for security. Their jobs were to maintain order in shires and security, where while also carrying out the will of the king in enforcing the early Medieval period banditry and raiding were commonlaw. This effectively became a type of local law enforcement, but it also had responsibilities that went beyond what we would consider modern policing. During this timeFurthermore, policing was often at the responsibilty of town, where local levels such as shires or counties. Watchmen were often employed or appointed in towns to look out for any disruptive or illegal behavior. Local towns would often band together and form groups to protect travelers on roadsand citizens. Local lords and nobles were largely also responsible for maintaining order in their lands. Constables were sometime sometimes employed to help enforce laws in shires, villages, and towns. Their importanc increased in the later Medieval period.

The Santa Hermandades were one such group created in Spain who often kept pilgrims and others safe on roads. They were an association of individuals who saw their task was to keep order and security, particularly for pilgrims traveling. <ref>For more on the Santa Hermandades, see: Constable, O. R., & Zurro, D. (Eds.). (2012). Medieval Iberia: readings from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish sources (2nd ed). Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, pg. 252.</ref> Protective councils largely maintained the authority and power to protect citizens in many regions throughout Europe. In France, the positions of the Constable and Marshal of France were military positions that were also responsible for internal security, similar to a military police type duties seen today with more common policing powers. These officials were responsible for repelling internal strife but also keeping peace in the cities and highways of the country.<ref>For more on the Santa HermandadesConstable and Marshal of France, see: ConstableAllmand, O. RC., & Zurro, DT. (EdsEd.). (20122000). Medieval Iberia: readings from Christian, MuslimWar, government and Jewish sources (2nd ed)power in late medieval France. PhiladelphiaLiverpool: Liverpool University of Pennsylvania Press, pg. 252.</ref>