Looking through my old Stephen Turnbull books, and a chapter in "Samurai Warlords" gave me the idea for a buntai in the Tokugawa Shogunate period in Edo to confront gamblers and ronin (i.e. 17th - 18th century, little-to-no armor/missile weapons). These are the forces of the machi-bugayo, the magistrate (a rank equivalent to many daiymo; there were 2, who alternated duty each month). Under each were 25 yoriki (assistant magistrates), with an income of 200 koku (hereditary position in Edo. Other towns also had yoriki). The yoriki usually wore the traditional "off-duty" samurai costume of the hakama trousers and haori jacket, and carried the two swords of samurai (although they were somewhat ostrasized by other samurai families due to Shinto beliefs re the taint of those associated with executions). Yoriki commanded doshin (constables); in Edo each of the two machi-bugayo had 120 doshin. Although technically of samurai status, doshin carried one sword and the jitte, and were generally charged with arresting criminals alive to stand trial. (Note, by this time, ashigaru were hereditary and technically the lowest rung of the samurai class).
If warranted, the yoriki himself would supervise the party of doshin making the arrest. The yoriki would then wear the equivalent of medium armor, might be mounted, and would carry a spear (as last resort "backup"). Many doshin would carry hooked/barbed spears, to entangle the felon's sleeves. In Ronin terms, I see the yoriki as samurai, hatamoto or bushou (depending on experience). The doshin would be ashigaru, ashigaru-gashira, or samurai.