NCJ Number
80850
Date Published
1977
Length
105 pages
Annotation
The organization of the West German police at the Federal and State levels is outlined for the benefit of young police officers.
Abstract
According to the general principles of police organization, the West German police organization is divided into administrative agencies and police stations for actual service units. The internal structure of the agencies and service units is determined by organizational procedures and regulations. The reponsibilities of the different levels are determined according to a hierarchical model. Officers are obligated by law to follow the orders of their superiors. The regular-duty police are responsible to the Minister of the Interior, as are the separate border police. The Federal Office of Criminal Investigation coordinates efforts of the States and conducts investigations on an international level, cooperating with foreign law enforcement agencies. A special police agency is in charge of matters relating to the Federal railway system while the regular police in general are charged with all tasks relating to law and legal order. Otherwise, the regular police are organized differently from State to State. The general organization of police in the separate States are described, with particular attention to police for waterways, local police, duty police, and police schools. Regular police are assigned to various agencies for special tasks, e.g., enforcement of fish-and-game laws, supervision of indigents. Other special services are search and seizure units, border customs units, and special units assigned to assist the military. Footnotes, organizational charts, and an index are supplied.