CRIMINAL POLICE IN THE CANTON OF BASEL CITY, SWITZERLAND

• NCJ Number: 67303
• Journal: Kriminalist Volume: 9 Issue: 8 Dated: (AUGUST 1977) Pages: 423-426,428
• Author(s): K LEHR
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: German
• Country: West Germany (Former)

Annotation

THE ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE CRIMINAL POLICE IN BASEL, SWITZERLAND, ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

IN BASEL THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BOTH INVESTIGATING AND PROSECUTING OFFENSES. THE CRIMINAL POLICE ARE PART OF THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE. THE PROSECUTOR HAS A FREE HAND IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND CAN EVEN ISSUE ARREST WARRANTS. DIVISIONS UNDER THE PROSECUTOR ARE THE SECRETARIAT, THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, THE GENERAL DIVISION, THE DIVISION FOR ECONOMIC CRIMES, THE JUVENILE DIVISION, THE CRIMINAL DIVISION (WITH 10 SUBDIVISIONS), AND THE DACTYLOSCOPY DIVISION; THERE ARE SPECIAL MARITIME AND TRAFFIC SECTIONS. THE CRIMINAL POLICE, WHICH CONSIST OF SEVEN COMMISSIONERS WITH FIVE TO SIX DETECTIVES EACH, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL POLICE INVESTIGATIONS NOT HANDLED BY OTHER DIVISIONS. ALTHOUGH CHARGES ARE BROUGHT BY THE PROSECUTOR, ACCUSED PARTIES HAVE RECOURSE TO JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES. CRIMINAL COMMISSIONERS RANK WITH POLICE LIEUTENANTS BUT ARE SELECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND SERVE MORE AS EXAMINING JUDGES THAN AS POLICE OFFICERS. PREREQUISITES FOR THE CRIMINAL POLICE PROFESSION ARE PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS TRAINING, POLICE SCHOOL, 8 YEARS OF POLICE EXPERIENCE, CRIMINAL POLICE TRAINING, AND DETECTIVE STATUS. BENEFITS INCLUDE RETIREMENT AT 60 YEARS OLD (AFTER 35 YEARS OF SERVICE) WITH 72 PERCENT OF THE MOST RECENT SALARY AND COMPENSATION FOR TRAVEL COSTS ACCORDING TO SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED CONDITIONS. PRIVATE AUTOMOBILES MAY OCCASIONALLY BE USED FOR BUSINESS. CRIMINAL POLICE WORK GROUPS ARE SPECIALIZED IN THEFT, THEFT AND SHOPLIFTING, THEFT OF AND BY MEANS OF MOTOR VEHICLES, ARSON AND BOMBINGS, FRAUD OFFENSES AGAINST PERSONS, FRAUD AND OFFENSES OF PUBLIC OFFICE, RAILWAY MATTERS, CARD CATALOGUES, AND THE LOST AND FOUND. NATIONAL SECURITY MATTERS ARE HANDLED EXCLUSIVELY BY THE POLITICAL DIVISION OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS AND SALARY TABLES ARE SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN (KMD)