polizei
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Police

The German police have two main tasks: averting danger and prosecution. The aim of averting danger is to ensure public safety and order. Police officers do this, among other things, by going on patrol - on foot, on a bicycle, in a car, by motorcycle or even by helicopter. This enables them to take preventive action in some cases or to identify and rectify critical situations at an early stage. In addition, police officers increase the sense of security of the population through their presence.

There is a state police force in each of the 16 German federal states. In the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region, police officers from the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate or Hesse are most frequently encountered. The Federal Police (Bundespolizei) protects the railway stations and German borders.

Uniformed police (Schutzpolizei)

No matter if there is an accident, a fire or if someone else needs help: Whenever emergency number 110 is dialled, the patrolmen of the police are on the scene. Patrolmen in uniform have to survive in many different situations. Whether on foot, by bicycle or in a patrol car, in rain, snow or outdoor weather: the patrol officers are always on the move and keep their eyes open around the clock for the safety of people.

The uniformed police also take care of traffic monitoring and traffic controls. IBy means of priority actions, the officers check (too) fast drivers, alcohol and drugs at the wheel as well as technical defects on vehicles.

Criminal Investigation Department

The specialists of the criminal police do not only deal with murder and manslaughter: A large part of their work consists of the processing of thefts, fraud, sexual offences, and drug offences. The fight against organised crime, economic crime and politically motivated crime is also of great importance.

Riot police

Riot police officers support the local police forces on exceptional occasions. They are deployed in manhunts, searches, demonstrations, catastrophes and sporting events as well as in the fight against crime and in prevention work.

Regulatory authority

The regulatory authority and the municipal penal service do not belong to the state authorities, but to the city or municipality. The employees often wear uniforms similar to those worn by the police. But they have other tasks. They come when citizens complain about incidents in the areas of health protection, environmental protection, mandatory leasing of dogs, illegal waste and noise. The employees who impose fines if someone parks their vehicle in the wrong place are also part of the city or local administration.

Policemen and policewomen, but also law enforcement officers, can identify themselves by means of a service card if required.

As the prosecution authority, the police work for the public prosecutor's office by investigating and clearing up criminal offences. The results of this work are presented to a court, which assesses them in a procedure. As part of this task, the police exercise the state monopoly on the use of force. It arrests people, confiscates objects or searches apartments, people and cars.

The police are bound by strict legal requirements. Police laws regulate exactly which means a policeman may use when prosecuting offenders. These means must be proportionate to the offence in question. For example, it would be disproportionate to draw and use a weapon when pursuing a shoplifter.

 

Further links (in German):

Baden-Württemberg Police Force

Rhineland-Palatinate Police Force

Hesse Police Force

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