Crime in Turkey

The Republic of Türkiye uses several public bodies to prevent and investigate crime. The Turkish National Police, commonly called polis and organized under the Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü, works mainly in urban areas, while the jandarma has an important role in rural areas and outside many city centers. A police station is often called a karakol. The jandarma may also have local stations, and both services can respond to immediate danger, protect people, secure a scene, and begin an investigation. Common everyday risks include pickpocketing, bag or phone theft, burglary, vehicle-related theft, street robbery, scams, fraudulent sales, identity misuse, and cybercrime. Risk can increase in crowded places, nightlife areas, transport hubs, tourist locations, and online marketplaces. Fraudsters may use urgent requests, fake messages, impersonation, false investment offers, or requests for passwords and verification codes. Banks, public offices, and legitimate services should not need a person to disclose a password or one-time security code to an unknown caller. For immediate danger, call 112 and explain what is happening and where you are. For a non-urgent report, people may speak with the police or jandarma and can be directed to the appropriate process. A person who wants to make a formal complaint may use the Turkish term şikâyet. The police or jandarma can record information and pass matters to the public prosecutor, known as the savcılık, when a criminal investigation is needed. Keep evidence such as messages, account details, photographs, receipts, names, dates, and locations. Do not edit original files, confront a suspected offender, or publish private information while an investigation may be starting. Crime reports, investigations, prosecution, and court proceedings are separate stages. Outcomes depend on evidence and the competent authorities, and people who need legal help should seek a qualified lawyer or an appropriate legal-aid service.