The bodies of night watchmen and the origin of modern police functions in Chile (19th century)

Summary

This paper contributes to a growing field of studies on the Chilean police force by following the cuerpos de serenos (Watchmen Corps) that operated during the nineteenth century. It suggests that they represent the first expression of a permanent public police force in the country, related to law enforcement and the protection of property and lives. Together with rebuilding the institutional history of the corps –based on ministerial, governance and municipal archives and press sources– this paper provides insights into the development of a social history of police forces by analyzing the daily tasks of these night-time guards.