Dutch Watch

Dutch Watch (Dutch: Burgerwacht) was a paramilitary organization formed by settlers in the Cape in 1655, initially to protect civilians against attack and later to maintain law and order. The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the apartheid-era police force South African Police (SAP) traces its origin to the Dutch Watch. In 1840 the Dutch Watch eventually became the Cape Town Police Force. Earlier the British had taken control of the Dutch Watch in 1795 and organized the Cape Constabulary in 1825.

In April 1696 the streets of Cape Town began to be patrolled at night by a burgher watch. Constables were not yet employed in the town, though at Stellenbosch and Drakenstein they were called 'Veldwagters'. They were mainly engaged in seeing that the laws were observed.