The ''Bundespolizei'' was previously known as the Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS) ("Federal Border Protection") until July 1st , 2005 when the law renaming the BGS as the BPOL was enacted. Prior to 1994 BPOL members had Combatant status.
The BPOL has the following missions:
- border security, to include the provision of Coast Guard services.
- protection of federal buildings and foreign Embassies in the Federal capital of Berlin and the former Federal capital of Bonn ,
- providing the federal government's mobile response force for internal security events,
- protects transportation security at International Airport s and on the German Railway s
- provides counter- Terrorism forces ( GSG 9 ).
- Air (or Sky) Marshals .
- It is one of several civil organisations providing rescue Helicopter service.
The ''Bundespolizei'' can also be used to reinforce State Police if requested to do so by a state ''(Land)'' government.
The BPOL conducts criminal investigations only within their jurisdiction; otherwise the cases are referred to the appropriate state police force or to the federal criminal investigative agency, the Federal Criminal Police Office (Germany) .
In general, the BPOL has a positive reputation among German citizens. It is perceived as a source of security and as a well-trained, professional organisation. The fact that the ''Bundespolizei'' does not handle normal police duties, like writing speeding tickets, might contribute to this perception. Its counter-terrorist unit, GSG 9 , is well known. Political demonstrators who engaged in violent clashes with the police (state and federal police) during rallies in the past most likely have a different view, however.
Strength
The Bundespolizei consists of around 40,000 personnel,
- 30,000 are fully trained police officers.
- ---21,000 provide border, railway and aviation security,
- ---6,000 serve in the Alert Police
- ---3,000 serve in special units such as the Central Office for Communications and Information, GSG 9 , and Aviation,
- 10,000 salaried civilian (unarmed) personnel,
- ---6,800 Civil Servants who perform administrative and support services
- ---2,000 who serve in the Individual Service which handles border/immigration matters and flight passenger checks, similar to US Immigration or US Customs inspectors.
Organization
The Bundespolizei headquarters is in Koblenz . The Bundespolizei academy is located in Lübeck .
- 5 Regional Commands
- --- North - Bad Bramstedt
- --- East - Berlin
- --- Middle - Fuldatal
- --- South - Munich
- --- West - Sankt Augustin
- 128 Inspectorates including
- --- 82 Regional Inspectorates
- --- 19 Airport Inspectorates
- --- 18 Criminal Investigations Inspectorates
- --- 5 Protection Inspectorates
- --- 3 Water Police Inspectorates with patrol craft and helicopters
- --- 1 Special Operations Inspectorate
Also in existence are the following special units:
- BPOL Flying Service - operates helicopters
- GSG 9 - Counter-terrorist Group
- BPOL Information and Communications Center
- 11 Mobile Units - battalion sized, based in barracks
External links
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