Ranks and insignia of the Ordnungspolizei

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The Ranks and insignia of the Ordnungspolizei developed in 1936 after the incorporation of Germany's regular police forces in the SS.

[edit] Ordnungspolizei Rank Titles

Ordnungspolizei ranks were based on local police titles and were considered a separate system from the ranks of the SS. It was also possible for Orpo members to hold dual status in both the Orpo and the SS, meaning that two ranks could be held simultaneously. In the case of Orpo Generals, equivalent SS rank was always held in which case the Orpo General would be addressed by their SS rank first, followed by their police titles (Ex: Obergruppenführer und General der Polizei). In 1944, all Orpo Generals also gained equivalent Waffen-SS rank so that, in the event of capture by the Allies, the Orpo General would hold status as a military officer instead of a police official.

[edit] Ordnungspolizei Rank Insignia

Orpo General Rank Translation SS equivalent Waffen-SS equivalent Shoulder Insignia Collar Insignia
Chef der Deutschen Polizei Chief of the German Police Reichsführer-SS N/A
Generaloberst der Polizei Colonel General of Police Oberstgruppenführer Generaloberst der Waffen-SS
General der Polizei General of Police Obergruppenführer General der Waffen-SS
Generalleutnant der Polizei Lieutenant General of Police Gruppenführer Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
Generalmajor der Polizei Major General of Police Brigadeführer Generalmajor der Waffen-SS
Orpo Officer Rank Translation SS equivalent Shoulder Insignia Collar Insignia
Oberst Colonel Standartenführer
Oberstleutnant Lieutenant Colonel Obersturmbannführer
Major Major Sturmbannführer
Hauptmann Captain Hauptsturmführer
Oberleutnant Senior Lieutenant Obersturmführer
Leutnant Lieutenant Untersturmführer
Orpo Enlisted Rank Translation SS equivalent German Army equivalent Shoulder Insignia Collar Insignia
Meister Master Sturmscharführer Stabsfeldwebel
Hauptwachtmeister Head Watch Master Hauptscharführer Oberfeldwebel
Revieroberwachtmeister Precinct Senior Watch Master Oberscharführer Feldwebel
Oberwachtmeister Senior Watch Master Scharführer Unterfeldwebel
Wachtmeister Watch Master Unterscharführer Unteroffizier
Rottmeister Team Master Sturmmann Gefreiter
Unterwachtmeister Junior Watch Master Mann Schütze