City guard, city watch, town guard or town watch was a law enforcement formation found in some countries and historical periods, usually subordinate to the local municipal government. Historically many cities had their own guard formations, which doubled as police and military force in times of need.
With the unification of laws and centralization of state power (e.g. the Municipal Police Act of 1844 in New York City, United States), such formations became increasingly incorporated into state-run police force (see metropolitan police and municipal police).
Read more about City Guard: City Guard in Fiction
Famous quotes containing the words city and/or guard:
“Often even a whole city suffers for a bad man who sins and contrives presumptuous deeds.”
—Hesiod (c. 8th century B.C.)
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
—Bible: New Testament, Philippians 4:7.