# General Superintendency of Police
**Wikidata**: [Q115800006](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115800006)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/general-superintendency-of-police

## Summary
The General Superintendency of Police was a government agency of the Kingdom of Spain established to manage specific public security services during the early 19th century. It operated as a distinct organizational part of the Spanish government from its inception on January 13, 1824, until its dissolution on October 4, 1835. This entity represents a specific chapter in the history of policing in Spain, documented through royal decrees issued by Fernando VII.

## Key Facts
- **Inception Date:** The agency was officially established on January 13, 1824.
- **Dissolution Date:** The organization was abolished on October 4, 1835.
- **Country of Operation:** It functioned exclusively within the Kingdom of Spain.
- **Classification:** It is categorized as a government agency and an organizational part of a government responsible for public services.
- **Historical Context:** The entity is a specific component of the broader "History of policing in Spain."
- **Primary Source Document:** Its establishment was mandated by the "Real Cédula de Fernando VII" (Royal Decree of Fernando VII).
- **Reference Material:** Key historical data is sourced from the publication "Los orígenes Policía española: Dos siglos de servicio a la sociedad" available via the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.
- **Digital Presence:** The entity has associated content on Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia in Spanish and English.
- **File Identifier:** A specific PDF document regarding the Real Cédula is hosted on Wikimedia Commons.

## FAQs
**When was the General Superintendency of Police created and when did it cease operations?**
The agency was founded on January 13, 1824, under the mandate of King Fernando VII. It ceased to exist exactly eleven years later on October 4, 1835, when it was formally dissolved.

**What was the primary function and classification of this organization?**
It operated as a government agency within the Kingdom of Spain, serving as an organizational part of the state responsible for specific public services. Its role falls under the historical classification of policing institutions in Spain.

**Where can one find the original legal documents establishing this agency?**
The foundational legal text, known as the Real Cédula de Fernando VII, is available as a digital file on Wikimedia Commons. Additionally, historical analysis and documentation can be accessed through publications from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.

**In which languages is information about this entity currently available?**
Digital resources and sitelinks for the General Superintendency of Police are available in Spanish and English. These include entries on Wikipedia and image repositories on Wikimedia Commons.

## Why It Matters
The General Superintendency of Police is significant as a foundational element in the evolution of the Spanish state's security apparatus during the 19th century. Its existence marks a specific period of centralized police organization under the reign of Fernando VII, bridging the gap between earlier absolutist structures and modern policing reforms. Understanding this agency provides critical context for the "History of policing in Spain," illustrating how the state attempted to formalize public order and administration during a turbulent era. The agency's relatively short lifespan of eleven years also highlights the political volatility of the period, serving as a case study for how government structures were rapidly reformed or abolished in response to changing political climates.

## Notable For
- **Royal Mandate:** It was uniquely established through a specific Royal Decree (Real Cédula) issued directly by King Fernando VII.
- **Historical Documentation:** The entity is directly linked to a preserved PDF of the original 1824 decree, providing primary source evidence of its legal creation.
- **Specific Timeline:** It holds the distinction of having a precisely recorded inception and dissolution date within the 19th century (1824–1835).
- **Digital Archiving:** It is one of the few historical police entities with a dedicated category on Wikimedia Commons and multilingual Wikipedia entries.
- **Government Classification:** It serves as a canonical example of a "government agency" class within the Wikidata knowledge graph, linking to 47 related sitelinks regarding public service organizations.

## Body

### Historical Origins and Legal Basis
The General Superintendency of Police was born out of a specific legislative act within the Kingdom of Spain. On January 13, 1824, the agency was formally established through the "Real Cédula de Fernando VII." This royal decree mandated the creation of the Superintendencia General de la Policía del Reino. The document serves as the primary legal foundation for the entity's existence. The decree is preserved in digital format, accessible via Wikimedia Commons, ensuring the original text remains available for historical verification. This inception date marks the beginning of a new administrative approach to public order in Spain during the reign of Fernando VII.

### Operational Timeline and Dissolution
The agency operated for a specific duration of eleven years before being dismantled. Its operational life concluded on October 4, 1835, when it was officially dissolved, abolished, or demolished as an entity. This end date is well-documented and cited in historical records regarding the evolution of Spanish security forces. The dissolution marked a transition point in the "History of policing in Spain," suggesting a shift in how the state organized its law enforcement capabilities. The precise dates of 1824 and 1835 define the entire lifespan of this specific government agency.

### Classification and Organizational Structure
In terms of taxonomy, the General Superintendency of Police is classified strictly as a "government agency." It functioned as an organizational part of the government, a category that encompasses bodies responsible for specific public services such as health, judiciary, education, and transportation. As a police body, it fell under the specific domain of public security and foreign affairs administration. This classification links it to a broader network of 47 related sitelinks representing similar government organizations. Its role was integral to the administrative framework of the Kingdom of Spain during its active years.

### Documentation and Digital Archives
Significant effort has been made to preserve the history of this entity through digital archives. The primary source, the Real Cédula de Fernando VII, is hosted as a PDF file on Wikimedia Commons. This file provides direct access to the original mandate that created the Superintendency. Furthermore, the entity is the subject of academic and governmental publications, specifically "Los orígenes Policía española: Dos siglos de servicio a la sociedad," published by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior. These sources provide the verified data points used to establish the agency's inception and dissolution dates. The data references are timestamped with a verification date of January 14, 2026, indicating the ongoing maintenance of these records.

### Digital Presence and Multilingual Resources
The General Superintendency of Police maintains a presence in the digital knowledge ecosystem across multiple languages. It has dedicated entries on Wikipedia in both Spanish and English, ensuring accessibility for a global audience. Additionally, a specific category exists on Wikimedia Commons titled "General Superintendency of Police," which aggregates related media and documents. The entity is linked to two primary sitelinks, facilitating navigation between different language versions and related topics. This multilingual and multi-platform presence underscores its importance as a historical subject within the broader context of Spanish administrative history.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/pdf/archivos-y-documentacion/documentacion-y-publicaciones/publicaciones-descargables/seguridad-ciudadana/Los_origenes_Policia_espa_ola_Dos_siglos_servicio_sociedad_12623070X_web.pdf)