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The Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) is one of the two national law enforcement agencies of Spain.
As a national gendarmerie force, it is military in nature and is responsible for civil policing under the authority of both the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence.
The corps is colloquially known as the benemérita (the meritorious or the reputables).
The Guardia Civil was founded as a national police force in 1844. It is the oldest Spanish police force with continuity over time.
It is the largest police force in Spain, in terms of area served.
The element of uniformity that characterizes the Civil Guard is the tricorn, which is the official service's headgear in full and service dress uniforms.
The traditional headdress of the Guardia is the tricornio hat, Spanish for tricorne. Its use now, since 2011 uniform change, is reserved for ceremonial parades and duty outside public buildings, together with the army-style tunic and trousers previously worn. For other occasions a cap or a beret is worn.
In 1989 the current model was introduced, consisting of a cork body and the now characteristic patent leather outer lining. which constitutes a single piece.
