In 1880, an armed gendarmerie force entitled the Cyprus Military Police was created by the British colonial administration of the island. Popularly known as zapitehs, this body numbered about 700, organised in both mounted and foot units. The personnel were predominantly drawn from the Turkish Cypriot population, although prior to 1914 about a third were Greek Cypriots. The eight most senior officer positions were normally seconded filled by secondment from the British Army. While trained to undertake some police duties, the force had an essentially military character. Mounted zapitehs, armed with carbines and sabres, were portrayed in contemporary illustrations patrolling rural roads in twos.

A detachment of mounted zapitehs participated in Queen Victoria's Jubilee celebrations of 1897, where their fezs and blue and scarlet zouave

Zouave

Zouave was the title given to certain light infantry regiments in the French Army, normally serving in French North Africa between 1831 and 1962. The name was also adopted during the 19th century by units in other armies, especially volunteer regiments raised for service in the American Civil War...

style uniforms attracted much attention. The role and recruitment basis of the zapithes remained essentially unchanged until, in 1935, the Cyprus Military Police lost their quasi-military role and were reorganised as the civilian "Cyprus Police Force". Seconded Army officers were subsequently replaced by inspectors and commissioners appointed from British and other colonial police forces.