Special Higher Police

The Special Higher Police (特別高等警察, Tokubetsu Kōtō Keisatsu), often abbreviated Tokkō (特高, Tokkō), was, from 1911 to 1945, a Japanese policing organization, established within the Home Ministry for the purpose of carrying out civil law enforcement, control of political groups and ideologies deemed to threaten the public order of the Empire of Japan, counterintelligence, domestic criminal investigations, high policing, and public security. As the civilian counterpart to the military police forces of the Kenpeitai (army) and of the Tokkeitai (navy), the Tokkō's functions were counter espionage and criminal investigation. The Tokubetsu Kōtō Keisatsu was also known by various nicknames such as the Peace Police (治安警察, Chian Keisatsu) and as the Thought Police (思想警察, Shisō Keisatsu).