Police Week

The week encompassing April 10, the anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Police Organization, is annually celebrated across the country with official ceremonies and various social activities as "Police Week"^【1】.

^{History of the Turkish Police Organization} (Anadolu Agency)

Turkish Police Organization was established on April 10, 1845 in Istanbul, and the Police Regulations were first published on the same date. During its historical development, a decision to establish a structure aligned with European models was included in the government program in 1876, and in 1879 the "Zaptiye Nezareti", considered the foundation of today’s security services, was established.

In 1909, the General Directorate of Security and a police directorate subordinate to the Istanbul Province were organized. The 1913 Police Regulations restructured the organization, duties, personal rights, uniforms, and police station buildings of the police force. In the pre-Republic period, organizational efforts began in 1920 under the initiative of Erzurum Deputy Mustafa Durak Bey, and following the proclamation of the Republic, İsmail Hamit Oktay was appointed as the first General Director of Security of the Republic era on October 24, 1923^【2】.

^{Police at Anıtkabir} (Anadolu Agency)

The organization operates under the 1937 Security Organization Law No. 3201 and the 1934 Police Duties and Authority Law No. 2559. As a general directorate under the Ministry of Interior, it is organized at the central level through directorates and at the provincial and district levels through Security Directorates and District Police Commands^【3】.

April 10, the date of the organization’s founding, is annually recognized as "Police Day"; the week encompassing this date is called "Police Week". Commemorative and celebratory programs typically cover the period between April 6 and April 12^【4】.

The Security Organization consists of officials tasked with establishing public order, safeguarding the lives and property of citizens, and upholding the rule of law. Activities carried out under this mandate include counter-terrorism, combating organized crime, fighting narcotics, managing irregular migration, traffic safety, and general public order services^【5】. The institution continuously updates its technological infrastructure through digital transformation initiatives and delivers services with a human rights perspective. Additionally, organizational units actively participate in social responsibility activities during major disasters, such as ensuring safety in disaster zones and providing first aid^【6】.

^{Police Week Ceremony} (Anadolu Agency)

Throughout Police Week, wreath-laying ceremonies are held at Atatürk monuments, moments of silence are observed, and the National Anthem is recited across the country^【7】. Visits are made to Anıtkabir in Ankara, and commemorative ceremonies including salutes and carnation-laying events are held at police cemeteries such as Cebeci and Karşıyaka. Recitations of the Qur’an and mevlit programs are organized in memory of the martyrs^【8】. At the institutional level, security personnel visit administrative authorities in their offices, and protocol receptions and discussion meetings are held within security units^【9】.

To strengthen ties with the public, carnations are distributed to merchants and citizens, and student delegations from schools are hosted at security directorates, while promotional activities such as the launch of new service vehicles are conducted^【10】 and public awareness campaigns are carried out^【11】.