Shanghai Municipal Police waistbelt.

The Shanghai Municipal Police (SMP), founded in 1854 and disbanded in 1943, reflects the city's turbulent history.

Its nearly 90-year existence saw considerable change, beginning as a predominantly British force effectively borrowed from the Hong Kong Police. By 1936, the force numbered 4,739 officers, a diverse group including 3,466 Chinese, 457 British, 558 Sikhs, and 258 Japanese.

After the Japanese occupation of Shanghai in December 1941, the SMP came under Japanese control. While some British officers were imprisoned, most remained until the force's dissolution in 1943.

A great bit of Police history, we are always looking at expanding our collection of police artifacts. If you own police badges, medals, or insignia you'd like to sell, contact us for a free appraisal.