{{Short description|National police force of Iran}} {{Infobox law enforcement agency | agencyname = Police Command of the Islamic Republic Iran | nativenamea = {{Nobold|{{lang|fa|{{nq|فرماندهی انتظامی جمهوری اسلامی ایران}}}}<br>{{lang|fa|{{nq|نیروی انتظامی جمهوری اسلامی ایران}}}}}} | nativenamer = | commonname = Law Enforcement of Iran | abbreviation = {{lang|fa|فراجا}}<br>{{lang|fa|ناجا}} | patch = NAJA.svg | patchcaption = Official logo | logo = Flag of the Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran.svg | logocaption = Official flag | badge = | badgecaption = | flag = Ceremonial flag of the Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran.svg | flagcaption = Ceremonial flag | imagesize = | motto = {{lang|ar|كُونُواْ قَوَّامِينَ لِلّهِ شُهَدَاء بِالْقِسْط}} | mottotranslated = "Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity" {{Cite quran|5|8}} ([[Slogan (heraldry)|Heraldry slogan]]) | formedyear = 1991 | formedmonthday = April 1 | preceding1 = [[Shahrbani]] (1913–1991)<br />[[Iranian Gendarmerie|Gendarmerie]] (1910–1991)<br />[[Islamic Revolutionary Committees|Committee]] (1979–1991) | employees = 360,000 (including [[conscript]]s and [[Auxiliary police|reserves]])<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mehrnews.com/news/2261566/%D9%81%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%A5%D9%A0%D9%A0%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%86%D9%84-%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%85|agency=Mehr News Agency|script-title=fa: فعالیت ٥٠٠هزار نفر از پرسنل نيروي انتظامي برای تامین امنيت ايام نوروز|access-date=10 March 2015|language=fa|archive-date=19 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419185340/http://www.mehrnews.com/news/2261566/%D9%81%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%A5%D9%A0%D9%A0%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%86%D9%84-%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%85|url-status=live|date=27 March 2014 }}</ref> | volunteers = | budget = | country = [[Iran]] | national = Yes | divtype = | divname = | divdab = | subdivtype = | subdivname = | subdivdab = | map = Blank-Map-Iran-With-Water-Bodies.PNG | mapcaption = Map of Iran with [[Provinces of Iran|province]] borders | dmap = | sizearea = {{Convert|1648195|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | sizepopulation = 86,758,304 (2022) | legaljuris = | governingbody = | governingbodyscnd = | constitution1 = [http://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/91805 Law Enforcement Force Act 1990] {{in lang|fa}} | police = Yes | gendarmerie = Yes | religious = Yes | speciality1 = <!-- (...up to 6...) --> | secret = Yes <!-- (Iran's main intelligence agency is [[Ministry of Intelligence]], however, the Intelligence and Public Security Police is part of [[Iran Intelligence Community]]) --> | overviewtype = | overviewbody = | headquarters = | hqlocmap = | hqlocmapborder = | hqlocmapheight = | hqlocmapwidth = | hqlocleft = | hqloctop = | hqlocmappoptitle = | sworntype = | sworn = | unsworntype = | unsworn = | electeetype = Minister | minister1name = [[Eskandar Momeni]] | minister1pfo = [[Ministry of Interior (Iran)|Minister of Interior]]<ref name="Tehran Times">{{cite news|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/politics/122447-leader-appoints-ashtari-as-new-police-chief- |title=Leader appoints Ashtari as new police chief |access-date=10 March 2015 |work=[[Tehran Times]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311061123/http://www.tehrantimes.com/politics/122447-leader-appoints-ashtari-as-new-police-chief- |archive-date=11 March 2015 }}</ref> | chief1name = Brigadier General [[Ahmad-Reza Radan]] | chief1position = Chief Commander | parentagency = [[General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran|General Staff of the Armed Forces]] | child1agency = <!-- (...up to 6...) --> | officetype = | officename = <!--NNN or {{collapsible list |title=NNN |[[Office1]] . . |[[OfficeNNN]]}}--> | provideragency = | stationtype = | stations = <!--NNN or {{collapsible list |title=NNN |[[Station1]] . . |[[StationNNN]]}}--> | airbases = <!--NNN or {{collapsible list |title=NNN |[[Airbase1]] . . |[[AirbaseNNN]]}}--> | lockuptype = | lockups = | vehicle1type = | vehicles1 = | boat1type = | boats1 = | aircraft1type = | aircraft1 = | animal1type = | animals1 = | person1name = | person1reason = | person1type = <!-- (...up to 6...) --> | programme1 = <!-- (...up to 6...) --> | activity1name = <!-- (...up to 6...) --> | activitytype = | anniversary1 = 5 October<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nlai.ir/tabid/2598/mid/5853/ctl/asnad/Default.aspx?Subjectmid=5850&SubjectID=11344|script-title=fa: روز نیروی انتظامی|access-date=10 March 2015|language=fa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419132753/http://www.nlai.ir/tabid/2598/mid/5853/ctl/asnad/Default.aspx?Subjectmid=5850&SubjectID=11344|archive-date=19 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> | website = {{URL|police.ir}} | footnotes = }}
The '''Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran'''{{efn|{{langx|fa|فرماندهی انتظامی جمهوری اسلامی ایران|Farmândehiye Entezâmiye Jomhuriye Eslâmiye Irân}}}}{{efn|{{langx|fa|نیروی انتظامی جمهوری اسلامی ایران|Niruye Entezâmiye Jomhuriye Eslâmiye Irân}}}} (abbreviated as '''FARAJA''' or '''NAJA''') is the uniformed [[police force]] in [[Iran]]. The force was created in early 1992 by merging the [[Shahrbani]], the [[Iranian Gendarmerie]], and the [[Islamic Revolutionary Committees]] into a single force.
It has more than 260,000 police personnel, including [[Border Guard Command (Iran)|border guard]] personnel, and is under the direct control of the [[Supreme Leader of Iran|supreme leader]], who is the head of state and [[Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces|Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces]].<ref name="CSIS">{{Cite web |url=http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/060728_gulf_iran.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-07-14 |archive-date=2009-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612094725/http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/060728_gulf_iran.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2003, some 40,000 women became the first female members of the police force since the 1979 [[Iranian Revolution]].<ref name="LOCprof">Text used in this cited section originally came from: [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Iran.pdf Iran (March 2006) profile] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130153236/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Iran.pdf |date=2012-01-30 }}) from the [[Library of Congress Country Studies]] project.</ref> The [[Guidance Patrol]], commonly called the "morality police", was a [[vice squad]]/[[Islamic religious police]] in the Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran, established in 2005 with the task of arresting people who violate the Islamic dress code, usually concerning the wearing by women of [[hijab]]s covering their hair.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unicef.org/iran/media_5837.html |title=UNICEF Iran (Islamic Republic of) – Media centre – Statement by Paul Hulshoff, UNICEF Iran Representative at the opening session of the Seminar on 'Police and Justice for Children'|access-date=21 July 2015 |archive-date=23 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023012613/http://www.unicef.org/iran/media_5837.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/06/165300.htm |title=Department of Treasury and State Announce Sanctions of Iranian Security Forces for Human Rights Abuses |publisher=U.S. Department of State |access-date=21 July 2015|archive-date=4 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704132349/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/06/165300.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/iran/ |title=Iran |access-date=21 July 2015 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110162554/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/iran/ |url-status=dead |work=The World Factbook}}</ref> It was later suspended in 2022 after the [[Mahsa Amini protests]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Motamedi |first=Maziar |title=Iran prosecutor general signals ‘morality police’ suspended |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/4/iran-prosecutor-general-signals-morality-police-suspended |access-date=2026-01-02 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>
In an emergency, the police can be reached by dialing 110 from any telephone in Iran.
== History == === Early modernization (mid-19th century – 1935) === [[File:IIG Logo (Old).svg|thumb|left|100px|Seal of the Imperial Iranian Gendarmerie]]
The origins of modern policing in Iran can be traced to the mid-nineteenth century during the [[Qajar Iran|Qajar era]] (1789–1925), when reformist statesman [[Amir Kabir]] (1807–1852) introduced early measures to improve public order and urban administration. These limited initiatives were followed by later efforts under the Qajars to establish a regular police service. Among them was the appointment of [[Conte di Monteforte]], an Austro-Hungarian officer, who organized uniformed patrols and attempted to modernize police procedures in [[Tehran]] between 1878 and 1889.{{sfn|Aghaie|2025|page=439}}
Building on these antecedents, the early twentieth century saw the creation of distinct policing institutions. In 1910, the [[Iranian Gendarmerie]] was established as the first modern highway patrol and rural security force during the late Qajar period, while urban policing was handled by the [[Nazmiyeh]] departments responsible for maintaining order within cities. Between 1911 and 1935 these forces were reorganized and centralized under the early [[Pahlavi Iran|Pahlavi]] government. Foreign advisors—first Italians and later Swedes such as Gunnar Westdahl and Sven Bergdahl (1911–1916)—helped organize new police units and introduce European administrative and training models.{{sfn|Aghaie|2025|pages=439–440, 442, 446}}
After the First World War, [[Reza Shah Pahlavi]] ({{reign|1925|1944}}) moved to nationalize and centralize these forces, removing foreign control and placing policing under the Ministry of Interior. Police schools were created to train recruits, and the professional journal ''Nazmiyeh'' (1925) was launched to promote standardized instruction, discipline, and modern forensic methods.{{sfn|Aghaie|2025|pages=445–446, 449–451}}
By the mid-1930s, these reforms had transformed a patchwork of local [[Nazmiyeh]] offices into a single, hierarchical, state-run organization known as the [[Shahrbani]] (''Shahrbani-ye koll-e keshvar'', National Police). This period is characterized as the decisive phase in which Iran’s policing was professionalized and integrated into the modern bureaucratic state, establishing the institutional foundation for later twentieth-century law-enforcement agencies.{{sfn|Aghaie|2025|pages=439, 446, 466}}
=== Expansion and centralization under Mohammad Reza Shah (1953 – 1979) === Intensely concerned with matters of internal security in the post-1953 environment, [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] authorized the development of one of the most extensive systems of law enforcement agencies in the developing world. The Imperial Iranian Gendarmerie and the [[Shahrbani|National Police]] gained in numbers and responsibilities. The secret police organization, [[SAVAK]], gained special notoriety for its excessive zeal in "maintaining" internal security. But as in the regular armed forces, the shah's management style virtually eliminated all coordination among these agencies. He tended to shuffle [[Imperial Iranian Army|army]] personnel back and forth between their ordinary duties and temporary positions in internal security agencies in order to minimize the possibility of any organized coups against the throne. Added to this list of institutional shortcomings was the agencies' all-important public image, cloaked in mystery and fear.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}
[[File:Seal of the Iranian Gendarmerie.svg|thumb|left|100px|Seal of the Islamic Republic of Iran Gendarmerie]]
=== Revolution and reorganization (1979 – present) === After the [[1979 Revolution]], the gendarmerie, which was renamed to the Islamic Republic of Iran Gendarmerie, numbered nearly 74,000 in 1979, and was subordinate to the [[Ministry of Interior (Iran)|Ministry of Interior]]. Its law enforcement responsibilities extended to all rural areas and to small towns and villages of fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. The [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] estimated its manpower at 70,000 in 1986. The Gendarmerie was dissolved in 1990 and its personnel were assigned to the INP.
The [[Police|National Police of Iran]] operated with approximately 200,000 men in 1979, a figure that has not fluctuated much since. The National Police was also under the Ministry of Interior, and its responsibilities included all cities with more than 5,000 in population, at least 20 percent of the population. Additionally, the National Police was responsible for passport and immigration procedures, issuance and control of citizens' identification cards, driver and vehicle licensing and registration, and railroad and airport policing. Some of these duties were absorbed into the Ministry of the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Pasdaran]] during the early years of the [[Iranian Revolution|Revolution]], and cooperation between these two branches seemed extensive.
[[image:Police during 2018 Iranian protests 02.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Iranian police during the [[2017–2018 Iranian protests|2017–2018 protests]]]] Since 1979, both these paramilitary organizations have undergone complete reorganizations. IRP leaders quickly appointed Gendarmerie and police officers loyal to the Revolution to revive and reorganize the two bodies under the Islamic Republic. Between 1979 and 1983, no fewer than seven officers were given top National Police portfolios. Colonel Khalil Samimi, appointed in 1983 by the influential [[Ali Akbar Nategh-Nouri]], then Minister of Interior, who was credited with reorganizing the National Police according to the IRP's Islamic guidelines. The Gendarmerie followed a similar path. Seven appointments were made between 1979 and 1986, leading to a full reorganization. In addition to Brigadier General Ahmad Mohagheghi, the commander in the early republican period who was executed in late summer of 1980 and five colonels were purged. Colonel Ali Kuchekzadeh played a major role in reorganizing and strengthening the Gendarmerie after its near collapse in the early revolutionary period. The commander in 1987, Colonel Mohammad Sohrabi, had served in that position since February 1985 and was the first top officer to have risen from the ranks.
As of 1987, the National Police and the Gendarmerie reflected the ideology of the state. Despite their valuable internal security operations, the roles of both bodies were restricted by the rising influence of the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Sepah]] and the [[Basij]]. The Gendarmerie was disbanded in 1991, along with the [[Shahrbani|National Police]] and [[Islamic Revolution Committees]]; all three of these organizations being merged into the present-day Law Enforcement Force.
The Police–110 unit specializes in rapid-response activities in urban areas and dispersing gatherings deemed dangerous to public order. In 2003, some 400 women became the first female members of the police force since the 1978–79 Revolution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Iran.pdf|title=COUNTRY PROFILE: IRAN|date=May 2008|publisher=Lcweb2.loc.gov|access-date=22 October 2014|archive-date=30 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130153236/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Iran.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Khamenei and Police (2016).jpg|thumb|Commanders, officers and officials of the Law Enforcement Force of Islamic Republic of Iran met Ayatollah Khamenei, commander and chief of the armed forces, on 8 May 2016.]] The current commander is IRGC-born [[Brigadier General]] Hossein Ashtari, former first deputy chief of police under Esmail Ahmadi Moqaddam; he relieved his predecessor and was appointed by the Supreme Leader Ayatollah [[Ali Khamenei]] on March 9, 2015.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
Per a [[decree]] issued by [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Supreme Leader]] [[Ali Khamenei]], on 8 December 2021 Law Enforcement Force structure was promoted to that of a General Command in 2021, it was thus renamed "Law Enforcement Command of Islamic Republic of Iran".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran's Law Enforcement Shuffle Reflects Concern About Protests |url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/irans-law-enforcement-shuffle-reflects-concern-about-protests |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=The Washington Institute |language=en}}</ref>
The Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been accused of using [[Excessive force of the Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran|excessive force]] and committing human rights violations in various contexts, including during protests, arrests, and interrogations. Reports and investigations have documented cases of physical violence, psychological abuse, and public humiliation of detainees. Human rights organizations have argued that these practices reflect systemic issues within the force, including a lack of accountability and the use of policing as a means of social control.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-03 |title=Iran: They are shooting brazenly: Iran's militarized response to May 2022 protests |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/5789/2022/en/ |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-22 |title=Iran: Security Forces Violently Repress Anniversary Protest {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/22/iran-security-forces-violently-repress-anniversary-protest |access-date=2025-11-16 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran: UN Fact-Finding Mission alarmed by surge in repression and extraordinary spike in executions |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/10/iran-un-fact-finding-mission-alarmed-surge-repression-and-extraordinary |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=OHCHR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-09 |title=How Iranian police publicly shame suspected criminals |url=https://observers.france24.com/en/20201009-iranian-police-public-shaming-suspected-criminals |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=The Observers - France 24 |language=en}}</ref>
On 31 October 2022, [[Mélanie Joly]], [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)|Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs]], announced that the Government of Canada was adding Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran to its sanctions list, in response to the police’s violent crackdown on the [[Mahsa Amini protests]], including the killing of hundreds of demonstrators.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=The Canadian Press |date=Oct 31, 2022 |title=Canada adds Iranian police force, university to list of sanctions as regime cracks down on protests |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-sanctions-iranian-police-force-university-1.6635758 |work=CBC}}</ref>
In August 2024 the Police Command ordered expelling of all unauthorized Afghan resident immigrants back to their country in one year.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.radiofarda.com/a/iranian-police-and-illegal-immigrants/33068841.html | title=فرمانده نیروی انتظامی ایران: اتباع غیرمجاز باید تا پایان سال به کشور خود بازگردند | newspaper=رادیو فردا | date=7 August 2024 | last1=فردا | first1=رادیو }}</ref> In another incident police allegedly broke an Afghan girl's neck.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202408074726 | title=Iranian police break neck of Afghan teen amid deportation crackdown | date=8 August 2024 }}</ref>
== Provincial Security Council == The Provincial Security Council is the highest provincial security body and is made up of the justice administration chief as well as the provincial police chief; it has the task to manage matters pertaining to security.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tehran officials raise against public flogging|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/01/aug/1094.html|access-date=21 April 2015|work=Payvand Iran News|date=8 August 2001|archive-date=24 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424015817/http://www.payvand.com/news/01/aug/1094.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The council has a provincial jurisdiction charged of managing police issues, ranging from public security issues<ref>{{cite news|title=Film community rallies for Afghan immigrants|url=http://archive.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/film-community-rallies-afghan-immigrants|access-date=21 April 2015|work=Radio Zamaneh|date=1 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424005437/http://archive.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/film-community-rallies-afghan-immigrants|archive-date=24 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Iran Report: June 16, 2003|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1342739.html|access-date=21 April 2015|work=Radio Free Europe|date=16 June 2003|archive-date=25 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425032522/http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1342739.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=IRAN: ANNUAL SURVEY OF VIOLATIONS OF TRADE UNION RIGHTS (2005)|url=https://tavaana.org/en/content/iran-annual-survey-violations-trade-union-rights-2005|website=tavaana.org|access-date=21 April 2015|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518091644/https://tavaana.org/en/content/iran-annual-survey-violations-trade-union-rights-2005|url-status=live}}</ref> to handling of serious criminal cases.<ref>{{cite news|title=3 Tourists Kidnapped in Iran Are Released|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-dec-29-fg-hostages29-story.html|access-date=21 April 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=29 December 2003|archive-date=25 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425044900/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/dec/29/world/fg-hostages29|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Top organization == {{Update|date=February 2024}} All issues related to the Law Enforcement Force within the framework of the law are entrusted with the [[Interior Ministry of Iran|Interior Ministry]]; but in the areas of war, the authority lies with the Deputy Chief Commander of the Joint Forces.<ref>{{cite book|title=Fulfilling Promises: A Human Rights Roadmap for Iran's New President|date=2013|publisher=International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran|page=31|url=http://www.iranhumanrights.org/wp-content/uploads/Fulfilling-Promises-English-web.pdf|access-date=19 April 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040356/http://www.iranhumanrights.org/wp-content/uploads/Fulfilling-Promises-English-web.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Top Police officers are directly appointed by the [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Supreme Leader]]. Law Enforcement Force also consists of several different provincial deputies. Provincial commanders rank between Colonel<ref>{{cite news|title=18 terrorists in southern Iran say they get money for operations|url=http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81464832/|access-date=20 April 2015|agency=Islamic Republic News Agency|date=14 January 2015|archive-date=27 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427110944/http://www.irna.ir/en/News/81464832/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Brigadier General,<ref>{{cite news|title=Commander Underlines Full Security at Iran's Eastern Borders|url=http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930804000579|access-date=20 April 2015|agency=Farsanews|date=26 October 2014|archive-date=27 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427143014/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13930804000579|url-status=live}}</ref> while provincial branch heads rank Colonel.
== Branches == {{Main|Iranian Police Branch Insignia}} The Police-110 unit specializes in rapid-response activities in urban areas and dispersing gatherings deemed dangerous to public order. Marine police have 100 inshore patrols and 50 harbor boats.
[[File:Iran Police.JPG|thumb|Tourism Police in [[Naghsh-i Jahan Square]]]] The Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran has a number of branches, each with specialized duties: * The '''[[Iranian Public Conscription Organization]]''' (Persian: ''سازمان نظام وظیفه عمومی فراجا '') * The '''[[Iranian Prevention Police]]''' (Persian: ''پلیس پیشگیری فراجا''), established in 2005; * The '''[[Islamic Republic of Iran Police Intelligence Organization]]''' ('''SAFA''' for short; Persian: ''سازمان اطلاعات فراجا''), established in 2022; * The '''[[Iranian Public Security Police]]''' (Persian: ''پلیس امنیت عمومی فراجا'') * The '''[[Iranian Traffic Police]]''' ('''Rahvar''' for short; Persian: ''پلیس راهنمایی و رانندگی فراجا''), established in 1991; * [[File:افتخاری آذربایجان شرقی 1.jpg|thumb|Iranian riot police]]The '''[[Iranian Cyber Police]]''' ('''FATA''' for short: Persian ''پلیس فضای تولید و تبادل اطلاعات فراجا''), established in 2011; * The '''[[Iranian Anti-Narcotics Police]]''' (Persian: ''پلیس مبارزه با مواد مخدر فراجا''); * The '''[[Iranian Immigration & Passport Police Office]]''' (Persian: ''پلیس مهاجرت و گذرنامه فراجا''); * The '''[[Iranian Diplomatic Police]]''' (Persian: ''پلیس دیپلماتیک فراجا''); * The '''[[Iranian Police Criminal Investigation Department]]''' (Persian: ''پلیس اگاهی فراجا''), established in 1991; * The '''[[Islamic Republic of Iran Border Guard Command]]''' (Persian: ''فرماندهی مرزبانی فراجا''), established in 2000, is Iran's border guard organization and its chief is Brigadier General Qasem Rezaee;<ref>{{cite news|last1=Niayesh|first1=Umid|title=Iran, Iraq discuss cooperation on border security|url=http://en.trend.az/iran/politics/2326448.html|access-date=17 April 2015|work=Trend|date=27 October 2014|archive-date=17 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417142358/http://en.trend.az/iran/politics/2326448.html|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[File:Morning call of NAJA special units (2015) (02).jpg|thumb|[[NOPO]] members ]]The '''[[Iranian Police Special Units|Special Unit]]'''; it was involved in quelling of [[2009 Iranian presidential election protests]]. It is responsible for suppressing riots, anti-terrorist activities, urban defence, and rescuing hostages. Special units include Anti-Terror Special Force ("[[Counter-terrorism Special Force|NOPO]]" for short). According to a former commander, the Special Unit alone has 60,000 members across the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=Iranian police commander concedes mistakes in 2009 protests|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/09/iran-2009-green-movement-protests-law-enforcement.html|access-date=7 April 2015|work=al-Monitor|date=2 September 2014|archive-date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413190653/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/09/iran-2009-green-movement-protests-law-enforcement.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Iran police showcase latest anti-riot capabilities|url=http://www.aawsat.net/2014/10/article55337424/iran-police-showcase-latest-anti-riot-capabilities|access-date=8 April 2015|work=Ashraq al-Awast|date=10 October 2014|archive-date=12 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412113501/http://www.aawsat.net/2014/10/article55337424/iran-police-showcase-latest-anti-riot-capabilities|url-status=live}}</ref> * The '''[[Islamic Republic of Iran Police Intelligence Organization|Police Intelligence Organization]]''' ({{langx|fa|سازمان اطلاعات فرماندهی انتظامی جمهوری اسلامی ایران}}), formed in 2022 and is responsible for the duties of the second pillar of the police command * The '''[[Centre for Strategic Studies of the Iranian Law Enforcement Force]]''', directed by Brigadier General Lotf-Ali Bakhtiari{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
===Guidance Patrol=== [[File:First vice squad of guidance patrol in Tehran (8 8502020677 L600).jpg|thumb|280x280px|[[Guidance Patrol]]]] {{Main|Guidance Patrol}}
The [[Guidance Patrol]], widely known as the "morality police",<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ghaedi |first1=Monir |title=Iran's 'morality police:' What do they enforce?|url=https://www.dw.com/en/irans-morality-police-what-do-they-enforce/a-63200711 |access-date=25 September 2022 |work=[[Deutsche Welle|DW.com]] |date=23 September 2022 |quote="Gasht-e-Ershad," which translates as "guidance patrols" and is widely known as the "morality police," was a unit of Iran’s police forces tasked with enforcing the laws on Islamic dress code in public.}}</ref> was a [[vice squad]]/[[Islamic religious police]] in the Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran, established in 2005 and allegedly dissolved in 2022, with the task of arresting people who violated the Islamic dress code, usually concerning the wearing by women of [[hijab]]s covering their hair.<ref name="a2">{{cite news|last1=Sharafedin|first1=Bozorgmehr|date=20 April 2016|title=Rouhani clashes with Iranian police over undercover hijab agents|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-rights-rouhani-idUSKCN0XH0WH|website=Reuters|access-date=12 August 2016}}</ref> On December 3, 2022, the Attorney General of Iran, [[Mohammad Jafar Montazeri]], said in [[Qom]] that the police guidance patrol is not under the supervision of the judiciary system and it is closed now from where it was begun first.{{clarify|date=December 2022|reason=incomprehensible, probably direct translation}}
=== Branch seals === <gallery> File:IRI.C.I.D.Police.svg|Criminal Investigation Police File:Economic Security Police of Iran.svg|Economic Security Police File:IRI.NAJA.Prevention.Police.svg|Prevention Police File:IRI.Traffic-Police.svg|Traffic Police File:IRI.NAJA.Special.Units.svg|Special Unit File:IRI.NAJA.FATA (New).svg|Cyber Police File:Marzbani.svg|Border Police File:IRI.NAJA-University.svg|University of the Law Enforcement Force File:IRI.NAJA.Public Security Police.svg|Public Security Police File:NAJA Social Deputy.svg|Social Affairs Deputy File:NAJA Health and Rescue Deputy.svg|Rescue and Healthcare Deputy </gallery>
== Chiefs of Law Enforcement Force == {{Officeholder table start | showorder = y | showimage = y | officeholder_title = Commander-in-Chief | showtermlenght = y | showparty = n | showref = n | showdefencebranch = y | defence_branch_title = Previous service }} {{Officeholder table | order = 1 | image = | military_rank = Brigadier general | officeholder = [[Mohammad Sohrabi]] | officeholder_sort = Sohrabi, Mohammad | officeholder_note = | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 1 April 1991 | term_end = 24 September 1992 | timeinoffice = {{age in years|1991|4|1|1992|9|24}} year | defence_branch = [[Iranian Gendarmerie|Gendarmerie]] }} {{Officeholder table | order = 2 | image = | military_rank = Brigadier general | officeholder = [[Reza Seifollahi]] | officeholder_sort = Seifollahi, Reza | officeholder_note = | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 24 September 1992 | term_end = 15 February 1997 | timeinoffice = {{age in years|1992|9|24|1997|2|15}} years | defence_branch = [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] }} {{Officeholder table | order = 3 | image = | military_rank = Brigadier general | officeholder = [[Hedayat Lotfian]] | officeholder_sort = Lotfian, Hedayat | officeholder_note = | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 15 February 1997 | term_end = 27 June 2000 | timeinoffice = {{age in years|1997|2|15|2000|6|27}} years | defence_branch = [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] }} {{Officeholder table | order = 4 | image = Amin graduation 2004.jpg | military_rank = Brigadier general | officeholder = [[Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf]] | officeholder_sort = Ghalibaf, Mohammad Bagher | officeholder_note = | born_year = 23 August 1961 | died_year = | term_start = 27 June 2000 | term_end = 4 April 2005 | timeinoffice = {{age in years|2000|6|27|2005|04|4}} years | defence_branch = [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] }} {{Officeholder table | order = - | image = Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi 1397052213011048715015314 (cropped).jpg | military_rank = Brigadier general | officeholder = [[Ali Abdollahi]] | officeholder_sort = Abdollahi, Ali | officeholder_note = | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 4 April 2005 | term_end = 9 July 2005 | timeinoffice = {{age in years and months|2005|04|4|2005|06|9}} | acting = y | defence_branch = [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] }} {{Officeholder table | order = 5 | image = Esmail_Ahmadi-Moghaddam.jpg | military_rank = Brigadier general | officeholder = [[Esmail Ahmadi-Moghaddam]] | officeholder_sort = Ahmadi-Moghaddam, Esmail | officeholder_note = | born_year = 1961 | died_year = | term_start = 9 July 2005 | term_end = 9 March 2015 | timeinoffice = {{age in years and months|2005|06|9|2015|03|09}} | defence_branch = [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] }} {{Officeholder table | order = 6 | image = Hossein_Ashtari_December_2016.jpg | military_rank = Brigadier general | officeholder = [[Hossein Ashtari]] | officeholder_sort = Ashtari, Hossein | officeholder_note = | born_year = 1959 | died_year = | term_start = 9 March 2015 | term_end = 9 January 2023 | timeinoffice = {{age in years and months|2015|03|9|2023|01|09}} | defence_branch = [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] }} {{Officeholder table | order = 7 | image = Ahmad-Reza Radan press conference, 19 February 2017 (1395120113094845510050934).jpg | military_rank = Brigadier general | officeholder = [[Ahmad-Reza Radan]] | officeholder_sort = Radan, Ahmad-Reza | officeholder_note = | born_year = 1963 | died_year = | term_start = 9 January 2023 | term_end = present | timeinoffice = {{ayd|2023|01|09}} | defence_branch = [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] }} {{Officeholder table end}}
== Equipment == {{unreferenced section|date=May 2016}}
{{Div col|colwidth=13em}}
=== Weapons === * [[Heckler & Koch MP5]] * [[SIG Sauer P220]] * [[SIG Sauer P226]] * [[Heckler & Koch HK21]] * [[Smith & Wesson Model 10]] * [[Dragunov sniper rifle|Dragunov]] * [[Electroshock weapon]] * [[AK-47]] * [[Uzi]] * [[FIM-92 Stinger]] * [[Remington Model 870|Remington 870]] * [[PK machine gun]] * [[M79 grenade launcher]] * [[DShK]]
=== Cars === * [[IKCO Samand|Samand]] * [[Mercedes-Benz C-Class#Second generation (W203: 2000–2006)|Mercedes-Benz C 240]] * [[Mercedes-Benz W211|Mercedes-Benz E 240]] * [[Nissan Xterra#Second generation (N50; 2005)|Nissan Xterra N50]] * [[Toyota Land Cruiser#100 Series|Toyota Land Cruiser 100 Series]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-07-31|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Toyota Land Cruiser#100 Series|reason= The anchor (100 Series) [[Special:Diff/617407762|has been deleted]].}} * [[Renault Mégane]] * [[Mitsubishi Pajero#Second generation (V20- / NH, NJ, NK, NL; 1991)|Mitsubishi Pajero]] * [[Toyota Hilux#Sixth generation (N140, N150, N160, N170; 1997)|Toyota Hilux Sixth generation]] and [[Toyota Hilux#Seventh generation (AN10, AN20, AN30; 2005)|Seventh generation]] * [[Volkswagen Transporter]] * [[Kia Forte|Kia Forte TD]] * [[Hyundai Santa Fe| Hyundai Santa Fe DM]] * [[Nissan Teana#J32 (2009–2013)|Nissan Teana]] * [[Suzuki Escudo#Third generation (2005–2015)|Suzuki Grand Vitara]] * [[Toyota Corolla|Toyota Corolla E150]] * [[Citroën Xantia]] * [[Peugeot 207]] * [[Peugeot 405]] * [[Peugeot 206]]
;Formerly used cars: * [[Nissan Patrol#Third generation (160; 1980)|Nissan Patrol 160 Series]] * [[Toyota Cressida#Fourth generation (X80; 1988–1992) (1988–1996 in Middle East)|Toyota Cressida]]
=== Motorcycles === * [[BMW R1200RT]] * [[Honda CMX250C]] * [[Honda CBX750]]
=== Aircraft === * [[Dassault Falcon 20]] * [[HESA IrAn-140]] * [[Aero Commander 690]] * [[Bell 205]] * [[Bell 206]] * [[Bell 212]] * [[Bell 214]] * [[Mil Mi-17]] * [[Cessna 206]] * [[Dorna D-139 Blue Bird]] * [[Cessna 185]]
{{Div col end}}
== See also ==
* [[Use of excessive force by the Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Excessive force of the Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran]] * [[Crime in Iran]] * [[Death of Mahsa Amini]] * [[Military ranks of Iran]] * [[Zahra Bani Yaghoub]] * [[Zahra Kazemi]] * {{ill|Police Command Information Protection Organization|fa|سازمان حفاظت اطلاعات فراجا}}
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{reflist}}
== Sources == * {{cite journal |last1=Aghaei |first1=Kamran Scot |title=Creating the Modern Iranian Policeman: 1911–1935 |journal=Iranian Studies |date=2025 |volume=58 |issue=3 |pages=439–466 |doi=10.1017/irn.2025.17|doi-access=free }} * {{Country study}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Police of Iran}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070406001851/http://www.police.ir/ Iranian police force] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20141022043601/http://www.rahvar120.ir/ Iranian traffic police] * [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ir0189) LOC Iran study] * [https://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/iran/naja.htm Iranian Law Enforcement Forces (LEF)]
{{Iran Military}}{{Police}}{{2025-2026 Iranian protests}} [[Category:Police Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran| ]] [[Category:Law enforcement in Iran| ]] [[Category:Government agencies established in 1991]] [[Category:1991 establishments in Iran]]