Law enforcement in Benin
As in many other countries with a French colonial heritage, law enforcement in Benin was a responsibility primarily shared by a gendarmerie and a police force. Since January 2018, the Republican Police of Benin () is the unique law enforcement force. Former forces. The National Police () was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior, Public Security and Religious Affairs (MISPC, ). The country was divided into six directions départementales. Police training was conducted at the national police school in Cotonou. The had both military and police roles. Due to its military status, the gendarmerie answered to  the Ministry of Defence. It was headquartered in Porto-Novo. As a police force, it has administrative and judiciary police powers. It operated both in territorial units, responsible for defined areas, and mobile units. Overall, it had jurisdiction in nearly 90% of the country's territory. Other forces. In addition to the police, law enforcement is provided by several forces, including customs ("les Douanes"), game wardens ("les Eaux et forêts") and the "Unité mixte de contrôle des conteneurs" (UMCC). Joint container inspection unit. The "'Unité mixte de contrôle des conteneurs" includes staff from the "Police", "Douanes", and "Eaux et forêts