also: けんびいし · けいびいし
police and judicial chief (Heian and Kamakura periods)
Historical term for a high-ranking official who combined police, judicial, and military duties in the Heian and Kamakura periods. Often translated as 'imperial police commissioner' or 'chief of the Kebiishi office'.
In the Heian period, the Kebiishi were responsible for maintaining public order in the capital.
The Kebiishi office had the functions of both a police force and a court.
Kana spelling is sometimes used in modern explanatory texts for readability.