Bundespolizei (Germany)
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Bundespolizei or BPol for short, is the Federal Police of Germany. It is subordinate to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Normal police are under the administration of the individual states (Bundesländer).
The Bundespolizei was named "Bundesgrenzschutz" (BGS) until April 21, 2005 when an act to change the name passed the Bundestag.
The BPol is responsible for border security, protection of federal buildings in the two capitals (Bonn and Berlin), and for providing the federal government's mobile response force for internal security events. It also guards airports, railways and foreign embassies and is responsible for counter-terrorism activities. It provides the German equivalent of air marshals. It is one of several civil organisation providing rescue helicopter service. The Bundespolizei can be used to reinforce state police if requested by a state.
Prior to 1994 BPol members had combatant status.
The Bundespolizei consists of around 40,000 persons of which 30,000 are fully trained police men and women and is organized along military lines into platoons, companies and battalions with police ranks and police career paths. It is equipped with light infantry weapons, armored vehicles, helicopters and boats.
In general, the BPol has a positive reputation among German citizens. It is perceived as a source of security and as a well-trained, professional organisation. The fact that Bundespolizei does not handle normal police duties, like writing speeding tickets, might contribute to this. Its counter-terrorist unit, GSG9, is legendary. Political demonstrators who engaged in violent clashes with the police (normal and federal police) during rallies in the past most likely have a different view.
Organisation
The Bundespolizei Headquarters is in Koblenz. The Bundespolizei academy is in Lübeck.
- 5 Regional Commands
- North - Bad Bramstedt
- East - Berlin
- Middle - Fuldatal
- South - Munich
- West - Sankt Augustin
- 128 Inspectorates including
- 82 Regional Inspectorates
- 19 Airport Inspectorates
- 18 Criminal Investigations Inspectorates
- 5 Protection Inspectorates
- 3 Coast Guard Inspectorates with patrol craft and helicopters
- 1 Special Operations Inspectorate
also existing are the
- BPol Flying Service - operates helicopters
- GSG9 - Counter-terrorist Group
- BPol Information and Communications Center
- 11 Mobile Units - battalion sized, based in barracks
External link
- Bundespolizei home page (in German) (http://www.bundespolizei.de)
