German Federal Police
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bundespolizei (BPOL) is the (primarily) uniformed federal police force of Germany. It is subordinate to the Federal Ministry of the Interior (Bundesministerium des Innern). Ordinary police forces fall under the administration of the individual German states (Bundesländer) and are known as the Landespolizei.
The Bundespolizei was previously known as the Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS) ("Federal Border Protection") until July 1, 2005 when the law renaming the BGS as the BPOL was enacted. Along with the name change, the old green uniforms has been replaced with new uniforms in blue. Prior to 1994 BPOL members had combatant status.
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[edit] Mission
The BPOL has the following missions:
- border security, (Grenzpolizei or Grepo) to include passport control and the provision of coast guard services along Germany's 700km coasts.
- protection of federal buildings and foreign embassies in the Federal capital Berlin and the former Federal capital (until Oktober 1990) Bonn; they also protect the two highest German courts: the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany (Bundesverfassungsgericht) and the Federal Court of Justice of Germany (Bundesgerichtshof) in Karlsruhe
- providing the federal government's mobile response force for internal security events,
- providing transportation security at international airports and on the German railways
- provides counter-terrorism forces (GSG 9).
- provides air (or sky) marshals.
- supporting international police missions for the UN and EU in Kosovo, Sudan, Liberia, Afghanistan, Gaza, Moldavia and Georgia.
- document adviser for airlines around the world
- in-house security for German embassies in several countries
- It is one of several civil organisations providing rescue helicopter service.
The Bundespolizei can also be used to reinforce state police if requested to do so by a state (Land) government. The BPOL maintains these reserve forces to deal with major demonstrations, disturbances or emergencies to supplement the capabilities of the State Operational Support Units. Several highly trained detachments are available for crisis situations requiring armored cars, water cannon or other special equipment.
The BPOL has investigators who conducts criminal investigations only within its jurisdiction; otherwise the cases are referred to the appropriate state police force or to the federal criminal investigative agency, the Federal Criminal Police (Bundeskriminalamt, BKA).
[edit] Reputation
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 the Bundespolizei does not perform normal police duties such as writing speeding tickets, might contribute to this perception. Its counter-terrorist unit, GSG 9, is well known.
Political demonstrators who engaged in violent clashes with the police (state and federal police) during rallies in the past most likely have a different view, however.
[edit] Strength
The Bundespolizei consists of around 40,000 personnel,
- 30,000 are fully trained police officers.
- 21,000 provide border, railway and aviation security,
- 6,000 serve in the Alert Police
- 3,000 serve in special units such as the Central Office for Communications and Information, GSG 9 and Aviation,
- 10,000 salaried civilian (unarmed) support personnel,
- 6,800 civil servants who perform administrative and support services
- 2,000 who serve in the Individual Service which handles border/immigration matters and flight passenger checks, similar to US Immigration inspectors.
[edit] Organization
The Bundespolizei headquarters is in Berlin. A special directorate in Koblenz (BPOL-Direktion) is responsible for the collection and analysis of intelligence, the development of doctrine, coordination of BPOL operations, and for international cooperation. The central school for advanced and vocational training is located in Lübeck and each BPOL region has its own basic training school.
- 5 Regional Commands
- North - Bad Bramstedt
- East - Berlin
- Central - Fuldatal
- South - Munich
- West - Sankt Augustin
- 128 Inspectorates including
- 82 Regional Inspectorates
- 19 Airport Inspectorates
- 18 Criminal Investigation Inspectorates
- 5 Protection Inspectorates
- 3 Water police Inspectorates with 40 patrol craft and helicopters
- 1 Special Operations Inspectorate
Also in existence are the following special units:
- BPOL Flying Service - operates helicopters
- GSG 9 - Counter-terrorist Group
- BPOL Information and Communications Center
- 11 Mobile Units - company-sized, stationed in barracks
[edit] Aircraft inventory
The Police operate 102 helicopters.
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aérospatiale Alouette II |  France |
training and utility helicopter | SA 318C | 19 | will be now replaced with Eurocopter EC-135 |
| Aérospatiale Puma | France |
transport helicopter | SA 330 | 22 | will be partly replaced with Eurocopter Cougar |
| Bell 212 |  United States |
rescue- / transport helicopter | Bell 212 | 2 / 8 | will be now replaced with Eurocopter EC-135 and EC-155 |
| MBB Bo 105 |  Germany |
rescue helicopter | Bo 105CBS | 22 | will be now replaced with Eurocopter EC-135T2i |
| Eurocopter Cougar |  European Union |
transport helicopter | AS 332 L1 | 13 | |
| Eurocopter EC-135 | European Union |
utility helicopter | EC-135 | ||
| Eurocopter EC-155 | European Union |
transport helicopter | EC-155B |
