Ministry of Police (France)

The Ministry of Police (Ministère de la police) was the Government of France department responsible for the police from its creation in 1796 to its suppression in 1818, and briefly again between 1852 and 1853. It was headed by the Minister of Police.

History
On 2 January 1796 and only two months after its establishment, the Executive Directory created a seventh ministry under the name of Ministry of General Police. The decree of creation mentions in its introduction a resolution of the Council of Five Hundred recognizing that the Ministry of Interior was unable to properly lead the police of the republic due to its size, and as such it declared a state of emergency.

During its existence and after years of troubles, the ministry was able to create a database of known criminals and offenders which reportedly helped to stabilize the regime.

Its administration was merged with the interior portfolio in 1818 by Louis XVIII. In 1852, President Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte recreated the ministry for his friend Charlemagne de Maupas, but it was definitely abolished a year and a half later.

Organization
The headquarters of the department were located at the Hôtel de Juigné, Quai Malaquais.