The Royal Oman Police (ROP), also known as Oman Police (), is the main law and order agency for the Sultanate of Oman. It maintains a helicopter fleet and also carries on the duties of safeguarding the long Omani coastline. Background The concept of a modern police force was relatively new to Oman when Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said rose to power after overthrowing his father in a palace coup on July 23, 1970. However, history shows that the first police in Oman was first institutionalized in the 1700s in Sohar. Prior to ROP's creation, no internal security force existed in Oman. Security was the responsibility of the local walis or governors who carried it out with the help of local "Askars". The police presence was limited to the township of Muscat and Mutrah, where most of the souqs were present and most of the trade took place. Once in power, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, in addition to his other reform campaigns, went about building an efficient and modern police force in Oman. In 1974, Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said conferred the title Royal Oman Police (ROP) on the newly formed force. In November that year, ROP received its colours from the Sultan. The next year, the ROP headquarters was inaugurated in Qurum. The Royal Oman Police joined the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in 1972, and the Arab Organization for Social Defense Against Crime in the same year. Organisation The Royal Oman Police is a well organised police force. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said is the supreme commander of the ROP. Under him comes the Inspector General of Police and Customs. The title of the Commissioner for police which was used to be the title of the president of the force under the old Police Law No. 5/1973, a Royal Decree was issued on 26 November 1974 changing the title to the Inspector General of Police and Customs. The post is currently held by Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsin Al Shraiqi who replaced Lt Gen Malek Bin Sulaiman Al Ma'amari as per royal decrees by the Sultan amidst the 2011 Oman protests. ROP carries out the tasks of a coast guard as well and is empowered to carry out all custom related tasks. ROP also maintains a well trained dog section (created on 24 September 1976). ROP maintains a fleet of support helicopters which