The Romans had harsh punishment which depended on the social standing of the person. Did you know despite the harsh punishments, there wasn’t any official police force?

Vigiles were volunteers who would patrol the streets at night to keep an eye on fleeing slaves, thieves.

An Urban cohorts would be in action if situations got out of hand like riots. Praetorian Guard would protect the Emperor.

But here is the funniest thing of all, the Vigiles couldn’t arrest the accused, that was the job of the victims. The victims had to find the accused and sue them in court.