der
Polizeigewahrsam
👮 What exactly does "Polizeigewahrsam" mean?
Der Polizeigewahrsam refers to the temporary detention or custody of a person by the police (die Polizei). This doesn't necessarily happen because of a criminal offense but can also have preventive reasons (e.g., to avert danger - Gefahrenabwehr, to protect the person themselves - Eigenschutz, or for identification purposes - Identitätsfeststellung).
It's important to distinguish Polizeigewahrsam from an arrest (Festnahme) in the criminal justice sense, although the lines can sometimes blur. Polizeigewahrsam is often shorter in duration and serves specific, legally regulated purposes.
🚨 Attention: The term is almost exclusively used in the singular.
📝 Grammar Spotlight: Der Polizeigewahrsam
The word "Polizeigewahrsam" is a masculine noun. As mentioned, it's generally used only in the singular. Here is its declension:
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der | Polizeigewahrsam |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Polizeigewahrsams |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Polizeigewahrsam |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den | Polizeigewahrsam |
Although a plural form ("die Polizeigewahrsame") is theoretically possible, it's extremely uncommon in general usage.
Example Sentences
- Er wurde zur Ausnüchterung in Polizeigewahrsam genommen. (He was taken into police custody to sober up.)
- Die Dauer des Polizeigewahrsams ist gesetzlich begrenzt. (The duration of police custody is legally limited.)
- Nach seiner Identifizierung wurde er aus dem Polizeigewahrsam entlassen. (After his identification, he was released from police custody.)
- Die Beamten brachten den Randalierer in den Polizeigewahrsam. (The officers took the rioter into police custody.)
🗣️ When and how to use Polizeigewahrsam?
The term "Polizeigewahrsam" primarily belongs to official and legal language (Amts- und Rechtssprache). You'll often find it in police reports, legal texts, and news reports about police actions.
- Typical Contexts: Gefahrenabwehr (e.g., for heavily intoxicated individuals posing a risk to themselves or others), protection of individuals, prevention of offenses, identification.
- Distinction: It is not pre-trial detention (Untersuchungshaft), which is ordered by a judge in case of suspected crime, and not always an arrest (Festnahme) for a committed crime.
- Usage: Mostly in formal contexts. In everyday life, one might rather say "er wurde von der Polizei mitgenommen" (he was taken away by the police) or "er musste eine Nacht in der Zelle verbringen" (he had to spend a night in the cell), although "Zelle" (cell) isn't exactly synonymous.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Think of "der Gewahrsam". While the masculine suffix "-sam" isn't always a guarantee for "der", it happens to fit here. Or imagine: Der policeman (Wachtmeister) puts someone into (in den) custody (Gewahrsam).
Meaning Mnemonic: "Polizei gets 'em in Gewahr" - The police (Polizei) take someone into their care (Gewahrsam) to ensure something (safety, identity). 'Gewahr' also sounds a bit like 'aware' - the police become aware of a situation needing custody.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Ingewahrsamnahme: The formal word for the act of taking into custody.
- Polizeiliche Verwahrung: (Police safekeeping/detention) - A very similar term.
- Unterbindungsgewahrsam: (Preventive custody) - Specifically to prevent imminent crimes or administrative offenses.
- (colloquial) Zelle: (Cell) - Refers more to the place, not the legal status.
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Freilassung: (Release) - The termination of custody.
- Entlassung (aus dem Gewahrsam): (Discharge/release from custody) - Also means termination.
⚠️ Risk of Confusion:
- Festnahme: (Arrest) - Usually occurs when a crime is suspected, to secure criminal proceedings.
- Untersuchungshaft (U-Haft): (Pre-trial detention) - Custody ordered by a judge based on strong suspicion and reasons for detention (e.g., flight risk).
😄 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Waren Sie schon einmal im Polizeigewahrsam?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Nein, Herr Richter, nur im Polizeiaufenthalt!"
English Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Have you ever been in police custody (Polizeigewahrsam)?"
The defendant replies: "No, Your Honor, only on a police stay (Polizeiaufenthalt)!" (It's a pun, as 'Gewahrsam' means custody, while 'Aufenthalt' means stay or residence, making it sound less serious.)
📜 A Short Poem
German:
Die Nacht war laut, die Stimmung grell,
Zu tief ins Glas geschaut, zu schnell.
Blaulicht blinkt, die Tür geht auf,
Ein kurzer Stopp im Lebenslauf.
Der Polizeigewahrsam, kühl und schlicht,
Bringt Klarheit oft ans Tageslicht.
English Translation:
The night was loud, the mood glaring,
Looked too deep in the glass, too daring.
Blue light flashes, the door opens wide,
A brief stop where life's paths divide.
Police custody, cool and plain,
Often brings clarity back again.
❓ A Little Riddle
German:
Ich bin kein richtiges Gefängnis, doch Freiheit gibt's hier nicht.
Die Polizei bringt dich hierher, manchmal nur für kurze Sicht.
Zur Sicherheit, zur Wehr, zur Identität,
Wie heißt der Ort, der diese Maßnahme trägt?
English Translation:
I'm not a real prison, but freedom isn't found here.
The police bring you here, sometimes just for a view so clear.
For safety, for defense, for identity's sake,
What's the name of the place this measure does make?
Solution: Der Polizeigewahrsam
🧩 Word Building Blocks: Der Polizeigewahrsam
The word "Polizeigewahrsam" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Die Polizei: The police, the state executive authority for public safety and order.
- Der Gewahrsam: Meaning custody, safekeeping, or taking possession.
Together, the meaning is essentially "custody/safekeeping by the police".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Polizeigewahrsam?
The correct article for Polizeigewahrsam is der. The word is masculine and refers to temporary detention by the police for preventive reasons or identification purposes.