The Civil Guard (Spanish: Guardia Civil; [ˈɡwaɾðja siˈβil]) was the main preventive police force of Peru until its dissolution in 1988. As a national gendarmerie force, it was responsible for civil policing under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior, while investigative work was carried out by the Peruvian Investigative Police. It was also supported at times by the Republican Guard. During its dissolution process, it became known as the General Police (Spanish: Policía General) until its formal integration into the National Police of Peru in 1991. The corps is colloquially known as the benemérita (reputable).