das  Landeskriminalamt

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈlandəsˌkʁɪmɪnalˌamt/

👮 What exactly is 'das Landeskriminalamt'?

The Landeskriminalamt (often abbreviated as LKA) is a central police agency within a German federal state (*Bundesland*). Its responsibilities include combating serious crime, coordinating investigations, and crime prevention at the state level.

It is a neuter noun in German.

• Article: das
• Abbreviation: LKA

Each German federal state maintains its own Landeskriminalamt.

🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'das Landeskriminalamt'

The word "Landeskriminalamt" is a neuter noun. Its declension follows the standard patterns for nouns ending in "-amt".

Example Sentences

1. Das Landeskriminalamt hat die Ermittlungen übernommen.
   (The State Criminal Police Office has taken over the investigation.)
2. Die Zuständigkeit liegt beim Landeskriminalamt.
   (The responsibility lies with the State Criminal Police Office.)
3. Die verschiedenen Landeskriminalämter der Bundesländer arbeiten eng zusammen.
   (The various State Criminal Police Offices of the federal states work closely together.)
4. Der Sprecher des Landeskriminalamtes gab eine Pressekonferenz.
   (The spokesperson of the State Criminal Police Office gave a press conference.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage

The term "Landeskriminalamt" is mainly used in official contexts, news reports, and discussions about crime and police work. In everyday conversation, the abbreviation LKA is very common.

Context:

• It refers to a specific state-level authority, distinct from the federal BKA (Bundeskriminalamt).
• It is mentioned in connection with organized crime, counter-terrorism (at state level), cybercrime, or complex investigations.
• People refer to the LKA Bayern, LKA Nordrhein-Westfalen, etc., to specify the office of a particular federal state.

⚠️ Don't confuse it with the local criminal investigation department (Kriminalpolizei or Kripo) or the Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt - BKA).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of "das Amt" (the office/agency). Many German nouns ending in "-amt" are neuter (das Amt, das Finanzamt, das Jugendamt) – and so is das Landeskriminalamt.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a large map of a state (*Landes*) where criminal cases (*Kriminal*) are handled in an important office (*Amt*).

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

😂 A Little Joke

Frage: Warum nehmen die Beamten vom Landeskriminalamt immer eine Leiter mit zur Arbeit?

Antwort: Um auf der Karriereleiter aufzusteigen und Verbrechen auf höchster Ebene zu bekämpfen!

--- English Translation ---

Question: Why do the officers from the State Criminal Police Office always take a ladder to work?

Answer: To climb the career ladder and fight crime at the highest level!

📜 Poem about the Landeskriminalamt

Im Land, da wacht ein Amt geschwind,
Wo man die Spuren Böser find'.
Das Landeskriminalamt, bekannt,
Mit Scharfsinn, Technik und Verstand.
Es forscht, ermittelt Tag und Nacht,
Bis man den Täter überbracht.
Für Sicherheit im ganzen Land,
Hält es die Zügel fest in Hand.

--- English Translation ---

In the state, an office watches swiftly,
Where traces of the wicked are found.
The State Criminal Police Office, well-known,
With acumen, technology, and reason.
It investigates, researches day and night,
Until the culprit is brought forth.
For safety throughout the land,
It holds the reins firmly in hand.

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich bin eine Behörde, in jedem Bundesland zu Haus,
Und mache schweren Jungs und Mädchen den Garaus.
Ich koordiniere, ermittle, bin zentral,
Meine Abkürzung kennt man überall.
Ich gehöre zum Land, nicht zum Bund,
Und tue meine Arbeit kund.

Wer bin ich?

--- English Translation ---

I am an authority, at home in every federal state,
And I put an end to the tough guys and girls.
I coordinate, investigate, I am central,
My abbreviation is known everywhere.
I belong to the state, not the federation,
And make my work known.

Who am I?

Solution: Das Landeskriminalamt (LKA) / The State Criminal Police Office

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word "Landeskriminalamt" is a compound noun, made up of three parts:

• Landes-: Refers to the federal state (*Bundesland*).
• Kriminal-: Refers to crime/criminal matters.
• -amt: Denotes an office or agency.

Trivia:

• The exact responsibilities and structure of the Landeskriminalämter can vary slightly from state to state.
• They often have specialized departments, e.g., for forensics, cybercrime, or state security (*Staatsschutz*).