The future of policing in Turkey: current and proposed organizational changes in public policing

Turkish police organizational structures have changed dramatically since their inception and it is likely that further organizational changes and restructuring in police services will take place in the near future. Currently there is a trend slowly towards decentralization from the existing highly centralized system, and there are some proposals for future changes. This paper first of all explores different forms of police organizations responsible for public policing, then it considers the current slow trend towards decentralization and proposals for future changes in central and provincial police units. The paper argues that although there is evidence of decentralization, it is likely to take long time realize a decentralized policing system in Turkey.