Federal Police (Germany)

Last updated
Federal Police
Bundespolizei
German Federal Police Logo.svg
Logo of the Federal Police
Common nameFederal Police
AbbreviationBPOL
Agency overview
Formed16 March 1951(73 years ago) (1951-03-16) as Bundesgrenzschutz , since 1 July 2005 named Bundespolizei
Employees51,315 (1 September 2020) [1]
Annual budget€4.729 billion (2021) [2]
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agency Germany
Operations jurisdiction Germany
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersBPOL-Präsidium, Potsdam
Police officers42,885 [1]
Civilians8,430 [1]
Agency executive
  • Dieter Romann, Präsident des Bundespolizeipräsidiums
Parent agency Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community
BPOL-Direktions
11
Facilities
Motor vehicles7,032 [1]
Boats3 (+1 on order) offshore vessels, 3 patrol boats [1]
Helicopters94 [1]
Service dogs460 [1]
Service horses21 [1]
Website
www.bundespolizei.de (German)

The Federal Police ( German : Bundespolizei, abbreviated as BPOL) is the national and principal federal law enforcement agency of the German Federal Government, subordinate to the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community. The Federal Police is responsible for border control, law enforcement across airports and railways, and the protection of federal institutions.

Contents

Missions

The BPOL has the following missions:

The Bundespolizei can also be used to reinforce state police if requested by a state (Land) government. The BPOL maintains these reserve forces to deal with major demonstrations, disturbances or emergencies, supplementing 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.

BPOL investigators conduct 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).

In addition, the Bundespolizei cooperates closely with German state executive authorities, such as prosecutor's offices ( Staatsanwaltschaft ) in pursuing criminal investigations.

Restoration of border control tasking on all borders (2015)

Stop and search on a motorway: BPOL inspecting a bus at a rest stop off Bundesautobahn 9 Kontrolle der Bundespolizei.JPG
Stop and search on a motorway: BPOL inspecting a bus at a rest stop off Bundesautobahn 9

On the night of 13 September 2015 Germany unilaterally reintroduced border controls, under emergency provisions of the Schengen Agreement, due to the 2015 European migrant crisis overwhelming Germany's available resources, law enforcement and otherwise. The nominally temporary border controls were initially put in place just on the border with Austria, but by the following day (Monday 14 September 2015) they were being put in place at all borders with fellow EU members. The same day, Austria and other EU members who were part of the Schengen Area began to put in place their own border controls (again meant to be temporary) in response to Germany's actions.

The new German border controls are to be primarily enforced both by the various Landespolizei of those German states that adjoin external borders, and in particular by the Bundespolizei.

Organization

Bundespolizei districts of Germany Bundespolizei-Standortkarte.pdf
Bundespolizei districts of Germany
Bundespolizei patch Federal Police Patch.svg
Bundespolizei patch

The BPOL national headquarters (BPOL-Präsidium) in Potsdam performs all central control functions. Eight regional headquarters (BPOL-Direktion) control the BPOL stations that conduct rail police and border protection missions. These areas of responsibility conform to the federal state boundaries which they did not do prior to 1 March 2008.

The regional headquarters are as follows:

These regional headquarters each have an investigation department and a mobile inspection and observation unit. Moreover, they control the 67 BPOL stations (BPOL-Inspektion) which in turn control the Bundespolizeireviere or precincts located in places that require a 24-hour presence by BPOL officers.

A special Direktion is responsible for Frankfurt International Airport.

The central school for advanced and vocational training is in Lübeck and controls the six basic training schools in Swisttal, Neustrelitz, Oerlenbach, Walsrode, Eschwege and Bamberg. It is also in charge of the Federal Police Sport School in Bad Endorf and a competitive sport project in Kienbaum near Berlin. The sport school specialises in winter sport events and has trained many of Germany's top skiers and skaters such as Claudia Pechstein.

The Zentrale Direktion Bundesbereitschaftspolizei controls the mobile support and rapid reaction battalions located in Bayreuth, Deggendorf, Blumberg (near Berlin), Hünfeld, Uelzen, Duderstadt, Sankt Augustin, Bad Bergzabern, Bad Düben and Ratzeburg. The number of Bereitschaftspolizei companies increased in March 2008 from 28 to 29 comprising approx. 25 percent of Germany's police support units. [3]

Strength

Federal Police Officers at Dusseldorf Airport Bundespolizei DUS Airport.jpg
Federal Police Officers at Düsseldorf Airport

The Bundespolizei as at 1 September 2020 consists of 51,315 personnel:

BPOL Special Units

The following special units also exist:

History

Bundesgrenzschutz patch (1952 to 1976) Bundesadler.bgs.JPG
Bundesgrenzschutz patch (1952 to 1976)

In 1951 the West German government established the Federal Border Protection ( Bundesgrenzschutz or BGS) composed of 10,000 men under the Federal Interior Ministry's jurisdiction. The force replaced allied military organisations such as the U.S. Constabulary then patrolling West Germany's borders. The BGS was described as a mobile, lightly armed police force for border and internal security despite fears that it would be the nucleus of a new German army. When West Germany did establish an army, the Bundeswehr , BGS personnel were given the choice of staying in the BGS or joining the army. Most decided to join the army.

In 1953, the BGS took control of the German Passport Control Service. In 1972 the Compulsory border Protection Service was enacted by the parliament, which – in theory – is still in force, but suspended, similar to the conscription for the Bundeswehr . [5] [6] In 1976, the state police grades replaced the military rank structure and BGS training was modified to closely match that of the state police forces ( Landespolizei ). The West German Railway Police ( Bahnpolizei ), formerly an independent force, and the East German Transportpolizei were restructured under the BGS in 1990.

Bundesgrenzschutz officers in 1987 Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F075997-0011, Bonn, BMI, Uniformen Bundesgrenzschutz.jpg
Bundesgrenzschutz officers in 1987

In July 2005, the BGS was renamed the Bundespolizei or BPOL (Federal Police) to reflect its transition to a multi-faceted federal police agency. The change also involved a shift to blue uniforms and livery for vehicles and helicopters. The German Interior Ministry reviewed the structure of the BPOL in 2007 and in March 2008 made the structure leaner to get more officers out of offices and onto patrol.

Equipement

Vehicles

Federal Police Land Rover Discovery and Volkswagen Transporter BPOL Fahrzeuge MGN.jpg
Federal Police Land Rover Discovery and Volkswagen Transporter

Today, German police forces generally lease patrol cars from a manufacturer, usually for a period of three years. Bundespolizei vehicles have number plates that are based on the BP XX-YYY system. BP stands for Bundespolizei. Older vehicles may still have the BGS "BG" plates.

Weaponry

This is some of the weaponry utilized by the Federal Police:

Aircraft inventory

The Federal Police now has been reduced to three flight amenities pattern of 94 helicopters. This is the largest civilian helicopter fleet in Germany. [7]

AircraftTypeVersionsIn service
Eurocopter EC-120 training helicopterEC 12010
Eurocopter Super Puma transport helicopterAS 332 L119
Eurocopter EC 135 utility helicopterEC 13524
Eurocopter EC 155 transport helicopterEC 155 B19

In May 2024, it was announced that Airbus Helicopters will supply 38 new H225 Super Pumas to replace the 19 AS 332 and 19 EC 155 helicopters from 2025 onwards. [8]

Former aircraft

AircraftTypeVersionsIn service
Aérospatiale Alouette II training and utility helicopterSA 318C–
Aérospatiale Puma transport helicopterSA 330–
MBB Bo 105 rescue helicopterBo 105CBS–

Ships

Large offshore patrol vessel BP 81 Potsdam 2019-10-03 - TDE - BP 81 - Potsdam.jpg
Large offshore patrol vessel BP 81 Potsdam

BPOL provides the federal police element of German Federal Coast Guard.

ShipCalldeployed portLengthCommissioning
Bad Bramstedt BP 24

DBGX

Neustadt in Holstein662002
BayreuthBP 25

DBGY

Neustadt in Holstein662003
Eschwege
training ship since 04/2024 [9] 		BP 26

DBGZ

Neustadt in Holstein [9] 662003
Potsdam BP 81

DBBM

Cuxhaven862019
BambergBP 82

DBBO

Rostock862019
Bad DübenBP 83

DBBP

Cuxhaven862019
NeustadtBP 84

DBIF

Rostock862023

Dogs

Approximately 500 working dogs are used in the Federal Police at present. Most of the dogs are German shepherds. Other dog breeds are also used such as malinois, German wirehaired pointer, giant schnauzer, and rottweiler. They accompany their handlers on daily missions in railway facilities, at airports, at the border or in physical security. Most working dogs live with the families of their handlers. Basic and advanced training is performed under the supervision of the Federal Police Academy at the Federal Police canine schools in Bleckede (Lower Saxony) and Neuendettelsau (Bavaria) where dogs and handlers go through patrol dog and explosive detection courses.

Ranks

Until 2003, the federal police units had rank insignia almost identical to those used by the Schutzpolizei in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany (the East German Volkspolizei had until 1990 similar rank insignia, only with a bit different number of stars for respective ranks). In 2003, the federal German police ranks and insignia were unified with those used by police units of federal lands.

Junior ranks (Mittlerer Dienst)

RankTranslationRank insigniaEquivalent rank
in the
Bundeswehr
Polizeimeisteranwärter (PMA)Probationary Constable Deutsche Bundespolizei - Mittlerer Dienst 01.svg
Grenzpolizeiliche Unterstützungskraft (GUK)
Bundespolizeiliche Unterstützungskraft (BUK)
Polizeivollzugsangestellter (PVA)		Border Support Employee
Federal Police Support Employee
Enforcement Support Employee		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Mittlerer Dienst 02.svg
Polizeimeister (PM)Police Constable
(paygrade A7)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Mittlerer Dienst 03.svg Feldwebel
Oberfeldwebel
Polizeiobermeister (POM)Senior Police Constable
(paygrade A8)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Mittlerer Dienst 04.svg Hauptfeldwebel
Polizeihauptmeister (PHM)Police Sergeant
(pay grade A9)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Mittlerer Dienst 05.svg Stabsfeldwebel
Polizeihauptmeister mit Amtszulage (PHMmZ)Police Staff Sergeant
(pay grade A9 with increment)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Mittlerer Dienst 06.svg Oberstabsfeldwebel

Senior ranks (Gehobener Dienst)

RankTranslationRank insigniaEquivalent rank
in the
Bundeswehr
Polizeikommissaranwärter (PKA)Probationary Inspector Deutsche Bundespolizei - Gehobener Dienst 01.svg
Polizeikommissar (PK)Junior Inspector
(pay grade A9)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Gehobener Dienst 02.svg Leutnant
Polizeioberkommissar (POK)Inspector
(pay grade A10)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Gehobener Dienst 03.svg Oberleutnant
Polizeihauptkommissar A 11 (PHK)Chief Inspector II
(pay grade A11)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Gehobener Dienst 04.svg Hauptmann
Polizeihauptkommissar A 12 (PHK)Chief Inspector I
(pay grade A12)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Gehobener Dienst 05.svg Hauptmann
Erster Polizeihauptkommissar (EPHK)Senior Chief Inspector
(pay grade A13)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Gehobener Dienst 06.svg Stabshauptmann
Erster Polizeihauptkommissar mit Amtszulage (EPHKmZ)Senior Chief Inspector with Official Allowance
(pay grade A13 with increment)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Gehobener Dienst 07.svg

Command ranks (Höherer Dienst)

RankTranslationRank insigniaEquivalent rank
in the
Bundeswehr
Polizeiratanwärter (PRA)Probationary Superintendent Deutsche Bundespolizei - Hoherer Dienst 01.svg
Polizeirat (PR)Superintendent ("Counselor")
(pay grade A13)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Hoherer Dienst 02.svg Major
Polizeioberrat (POR)Senior Superintendent
(pay grade A14)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Hoherer Dienst 03.svg Oberstleutnant
Polizeidirektor (PD)Director
(pay grade A15)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Hoherer Dienst 04.svg Oberstleutnant
Leitender Polizeidirektor (LtdPD)Senior Director
(pay grade A16)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Hoherer Dienst 05.svg Oberst
Direktor in der Bundespolizei (als Abteilungsleiter im Bundespolizeipräsidium)Director (Division Chief at Federal Police Headquarters)
(pay grade B3)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Hoherer Dienst 06.svg Brigadegeneral
Präsident der BundespolizeiakademiePresident of the Federal Police Academy
(pay grade B4)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Hoherer Dienst 07.svg Brigadegeneral
Präsident einer BundespolizeidirektionPresident of a Federal Police Directorate
(pay grades B3–B6)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Hoherer Dienst 07.svg Generalmajor
Präsident der Bundespolizeidirektion Sankt Augustin
Vizepräsident beim Bundespolizeipräsidium		President of the Federal Police Directorate in Sankt Augustin
(pay grade B5)
Vice President of the Federal Police Headquarters
(pay grade B6)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Hoherer Dienst 08.svg Generalleutnant
Präsident des Bundespolizeipräsidiums President of the Federal Police Headquarters
(pay grade B9)		 Deutsche Bundespolizei - Hoherer Dienst 09.svg General

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bundespolizei - Daten und Fakten". www.bundespolizei.de. Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  2. ↑ "Bundeshaushalt" (in German). Archived from the original on 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  3. ↑ Official BPOL news release on reorganisation (in German) Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "Einsatzschiffe sowie Kontroll- und Streifenboote" [Cruise and patrol vessels] (in German). Bundespolizei. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  5. ↑ "Bundesgrenzschutzneuregelungsgesetz - Deutscher Bundestag" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  6. ↑ Verheyen, Josef (2013-11-11). Rechtskunde — leicht verständlich. Springer. ISBN   9783663130871.
  7. ↑ "Historie der Bundespolizei". Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved 2015-04-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. ↑ Hoffmann, Lars (2024-05-24). "Großauftrag für Bundespolizei-Hubschrauber geht offenbar an Airbus" [Major order for Federal Police helicopters apparently goes to Airbus] (in German). Archived from the original on 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  9. 1 2 "Neue Aufgabe für Eschweges Patenschiff BP 26". www.hna.de (in German). 2024-04-28. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
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