The job of police officers has inevitably changed in lots of ways over the last 60 years or so. Some roles remain the same - like investigating murders or post office raids.
But, as these pictures from the Evening News archives show, such tasks as directing the traffic used to be a key part of policing work.
And of course there were protests and demonstrations to be dealt with too.
Scroll through these fascinating old photos and see what police work was like in the 1950s and 1960s.
9. Point duty at The Mound
A policeman on point duty at the Mound in Edinburgh | TSPL Photo: Stan Warburton
10. Newhaven murder hunt
Detectives question people during a murder hunt in Newhaven, Edinburgh | TSPL Photo: George Smith
11. Radio control centre
Two police sergeants log traffic reports at the radio control centre in Edinburgh in December 1967. | TSPL Photo: Joe Steele
12. Trouble at Easter Road
Police escort a youngster from the ground after crowd trouble erupts during the Hibs v Celtic game at Easter Road in January 1968 | TSPL Photo: George Smith