Tresviri capitales
The tresviri capitales or tresviri nocturni were one of the Vigintisexviri colleges in Ancient Rome. They were a group of three men that managed police and firefightering. Despite this they were feared by the Roman people due to their police roles, and they were condemned due to their neglect of firefighting during one moment, probably the Great Fire of Rome. The Roman people gave the "Tresviri Capitales" the nickname "nocturni" due to the night patrols they managed. The "tresviri capitales" were elected by the Urban Praetors and later Tribal Assembly. They acted under the mandate of the Senate . Role. The "Tresviri Capitales" managed the police in Ancient Rome. They were somewhat feared by the citizens of Rome. Although the "Tresviri Capitales" had total criminal jurisdiction over the people of Rome, they did not have judicial jurisdiction. They dispensed justice in the forum, supervised executions, and castigated thieves and slaves. Also, they, along with the aediles, organized special guard troops dedicated to arresting criminals. Although they could only do this with a mandate from the Senate and other higher magistrates.According to W. Kunkel the "Tresviri Capitales" most likely handled ordinary crimes that would not be handled by the  Popular Assembly or Courts. Another explanation is that thieves caught while stealing would be brought to the "Tresviri Capitalres". Where the criminal would then confess or deny his crime. Another legal duty of the "Tresviri Capitales" was managing Roman prisons. Aside from policing Rome, they also arrested and punished runaway slaves. However, this does not necessarily mean the "Tresviri Capitales" searched for the slaves. Fines and fees for starting lawsuits would be collected by the "Tresviri Capitales." The "Tresviri Capitales" were one group responsible for firefighting in Rome. They organized nightly patrols. The people of Rome condemned the "Tresviri Capitales  for neglecting their responsibility of firefighting on one occasion. This occasion was probably the Great Fire of Rome. One minor role of the Tresviri Capitales" was managing the roads of Rome. History and Organization. The "Tresviri Capitales" were formed around 290 or 287. Their name was derived from their groups supervision of the prison and executions that took place there. According to Plautus when they were founded they were a group of three men that would be elected by the Urban Praetors.The "Tresviri Capitales" changed the way Roman society utilized the death penalty. The death penalty was a state  tool instead of a private matter carried out due to vengeance. Sometime between 242 and 122 BCE a "Lex Papiria" ordered that the "Tresviri Capitales" would be elected by the "Comitia Tributa" also known as Tribal Assembly. During the year 213, after complaining from Roman citizens, the "Tresviri Capitales" would take action against the practice of foreign cults in public spaces. They destroyed the places of worship for these cults. Later the Senate put an Urban Praetor in charge of taking action against the practice of foreign cults in public places.