as, the prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the emperor's person
In some countries, a prefect is the head of the local government administration or of a local government department. the police prefect for the district of Mehedinti. In ancient Rome, any of various high officials with primarily judicial and administrative responsibilities. In the early republic, a prefect of the city (praefectus urbi) took over the consul's duties during their absence from Rome. The office lost some importance after the introduction of praetors (mid 4th century BC). Augustus revitalized the office when he appointed five prefects to supervise the city government, the fire brigade, the grain supply, and the Praetorian Guard. The praetorian prefects acquired great power and often became virtual prime ministers
the ruler of an individual territory in the Roman governmental system Pontius Pilate, for instance, was the prefect of Judea from 26-37 c e (during the time that Jesus lived)