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 |