The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (警視庁 Keishichō) serves as the police

Police

The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...

 force for the entire Tokyo metropolis

Tokyo

, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...

. Founded in 1874, it is headed by a superintendent general, who is appointed by the National Public Safety Commission

National Public Safety Commission (Japan)

The is a Japanese Cabinet Office commission. It is headquartered in the 2nd Building of the Central Common Government Office at 2-1-2 Kasumigasaeki in Chiyoda, Tokyo....

 and approved by the prime minister

Prime Minister of Japan

The is the head of government of Japan. He is appointed by the Emperor of Japan after being designated by the Diet from among its members, and must enjoy the confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office...

.

The Metropolitan Police, with a staff of more than 40,000 police officers and over 2,500 civilian personnel, manages 101 stations in the prefecture. It is the largest urban police force in the world. The number of inhabitants per police officer amounts to 290:1.

The main building of the Keishicho is located in the Kasumigaseki

Kasumigaseki

Kasumigaseki is a district in Chiyoda Ward in Tokyo, Japan. It is the location of most of Japan's cabinet ministry offices...

 part of central Tokyo. Built in 1980, it is 18 stories tall, a large wedge-shaped building with a cylindrical tower, it is easily seen from the street and a well-known landmark.

Organization

The Metropolitan Police Department is under the command of a Superintendent-General, and report directly to the Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission.

The MPD commands the following bureaus:

• Administration Bureau
• Personnel and Training Bureau
• Traffic Bureau
• Community Police Affairs Bureau
• Public Security Bureau
  Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Public Security Bureau
  The is a bureau of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department in charge of public security with jurisdiction over Tokyo metropolis. It has a force of more than 2,000 officers....
  
  
• Criminal Investigation Bureau
• Community Safety Bureau
• Organized Crime Control Bureau

MPD also has its own academy, called the Metropolitan Police Department Academy.

Each District Headquarters command several police stations. Each station includes the following:

• Administration Section
• Traffic Section
• Security Section
• Community Police Affairs Section
• Criminal Investigation Section
• Community Safety Section
• Organized Crime Control Section

Personnel and Equipment

The MPD has the following as of January 1, 2008:

• 42,984 Police Officers
• 2,841 Civilian Personnel
• 1,401 Patrol Cars
• 951 Police Motorcycles
• 25 Police Boats
• 14 Helicopters
• 57 Police Dogs
• 15 Horses

External links

• Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department