Turkey celebrates 200th anniversary of Municipal Police Force

Municipalities across Turkey are holding ceremonies to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Zabıta Teşkilatı (Municipal Police Force) and Zabıta Week. Local leaders in cities including Malatya, Konya, Bursa, Kocaeli, Karatay, Talas, Meram, and İzmir have organized various events to honor the long-standing institution.

In Malatya, officials noted the force's role in the city's reconstruction following the February 6 earthquakes. In Konya, mayors emphasized the importance of the force in maintaining urban order and public trust. In Bursa, Deputy Mayor Şahin Biba called for fairness and impartiality in the line of duty, while in Kocaeli, the force's technological integration and extensive personnel numbers were highlighted.

In İzmir, Mayor Cemil Tugay remarked on the continuity of the force's responsibilities despite decades of urban growth. In Istanbul, a ceremony marking the anniversary was followed by a confrontation on İstiklal Avenue, where police prevented İBB Zabıta executives from distributing carnations to citizens, citing local administrative decisions.