What is the role of the police in authoritarian regimes?

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What is the role of the police in authoritarian regimes?

In authoritarian regimes, the role of the police is primarily to maintain control, enforce obedience, and suppress dissent. They serve as a tool of the ruling regime to ensure compliance with its policies and maintain social order. The police are often given extensive powers and authority, including the ability to detain, arrest, and use force against individuals perceived as threats to the regime. They are responsible for monitoring and surveilling the population, suppressing opposition movements, and preventing any form of dissent or protest. The police in authoritarian regimes are typically loyal to the ruling regime rather than the general public, and their actions are often driven by political motivations rather than upholding the rule of law or protecting citizens' rights.