In the law enforcement system in Japan, prefectural police (都道府県警察, todōfuken-keisatsu) are law enforcement agencies responsible for the regular police affairs within their respective prefectures. Although prefectural police are, in principle, regarded as municipal police, they are mostly under the central oversight and control of the National Police Agency. As of 2017, the total strength of the prefectural police is approximately 260,400 sworn officers and 28,400 civilian staff, a total of 288,000 employees.
