die  Bundespolizei

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʊndəsˌpoliːt͡saɪ/

👮‍♀️ What exactly is 'die Bundespolizei'?

Die Bundespolizei (*the Federal Police*, often abbreviated *as* BPOL) *is the national*, federal-level police force *of the* Federal Republic of Germany. *It reports to the* Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (*Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat*).

Its main responsibilities include:

• Border protection (*Grenzschutz* - controlling borders, preventing illegal entry)
• Railway policing tasks (*Bahnpolizeiliche Aufgaben* - security at train stations and on trains)
• Aviation security (*Luftsicherheit* - security tasks at airports)
• Protection of federal institutions (*Schutz von Bundesorganen* - e.g., federal ministries, Chancellery)
• Maritime tasks (*Aufgaben auf See* - as part of the coast guard)
• Supporting state police forces (*Landespolizeien*) *in special situations*

It refers to a specific organization, so the word is almost exclusively used in the singular.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Focus: Die Bundespolizei

The word* "Bundespolizei" *is a* feminine noun. *Therefore, the article is always* "die".

Declension (Singular):

A plural form* ("die Bundespolizeien") *is grammatically possible but very uncommon, as there is only one* Bundespolizei *in Germany. One would rather speak of* "Einheiten der Bundespolizei" (*units of the Federal Police*) *or* "Beamten der Bundespolizei" (*officers of the Federal Police*).

Example Sentences

1. Die Bundespolizei ist für die Sicherheit am Flughafen zuständig.
   (The Federal Police is responsible for security at the airport.)
2. Die Aufgaben der Bundespolizei sind vielfältig.
   (The tasks of the Federal Police are diverse.)
3. Wir haben uns bei der Bundespolizei erkundigt.
   (We inquired with the Federal Police.)
4. Der Minister lobte die Bundespolizei für ihren Einsatz.
   (The minister praised the Federal Police for their efforts/deployment.)

Important Usage Notes

Contexts: *You typically hear about* die Bundespolizei *in connection with security and control at:*

• Border crossings (*Grenzübergänge* - land, sea, air)
• Airports (*Flughäfen*)
• Train stations (*Bahnhöfen*) *and on trains of the* Deutsche Bahn
• Large events or demonstrations *of national importance*
• Protection of constitutional bodies

Abbreviation: *The official and commonly used abbreviation is* BPOL.

Important Distinction 🚨: *Do not confuse it with the* Landespolizei! *The* Landespolizei (*state police*) *is responsible for general police work within the individual federal states* (*Bundesländer*), *like local patrols or investigating local crimes*. Die Bundespolizei *has specific, nationwide responsibilities*.

🧠 Mnemonics for Bundespolizei

Article Mnemonic: *The base word is* "die Polizei". *This stays the same even when* "Bundes-" (*Federal*) *is added. Think of a female police officer (feminine = die) in a federal uniform:* die Bundespolizei.

Meaning Mnemonic: *Imagine the police building a* Bundes-wall (*Federal wall*) *around Germany (borders)*, *guarding* Bundes-train stations, *and flying with* Bundes-eagles (*Federal eagles - airports*) – *that's the* Bundespolizei.

🔄 Similar Terms and Contrasts

Synonyms/Related Terms:

• BPOL: *Official abbreviation.*
• Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS): *Former name of the* Bundespolizei (*until 2005*). *Sometimes still used colloquially, but outdated.* (*Federal Border Guard*)
• Grenzpolizei: *Refers specifically to the task of border protection, often carried out by the BPOL.* (*Border Police*)
• Bahnpolizei: *Refers specifically to the task of railway security, often carried out by the BPOL.* (*Railway Police*)

Terms for Distinction:

• Landespolizei: *The police forces of the individual German states, responsible for general policing locally.* (*State Police*)
• Zoll: *Another federal authority, responsible for customs, combating undeclared work, etc., but also has border police powers.* (*Customs*)
• Bundeskriminalamt (BKA): *Another federal agency, responsible for combating serious and organized crime with international connections.* (*Federal Criminal Police Office*)

Antonyms: *Direct antonyms don't really exist for the name of an authority.*

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Reisender am Bahnhof einen Bundespolizisten: "Entschuldigen Sie, fährt dieser Zug nach Berlin?"
Antwortet der Polizist: "Nein, der Zug fährt auf Schienen, aber ich kann Sie gerne nach Berlin begleiten, wenn Sie möchten!" 😉

Traveler at the train station asks a Federal Police officer: "Excuse me, does this train go to Berlin?"
The officer replies: "No, the train goes on tracks, but I'd be happy to accompany you to Berlin if you like!" 😉

📜 A Poem about the Agency

Die Bundespolizei, sie wacht,
an Grenzen, Tag und Nacht.
Im Zug, am Airport, auf der See,
sorgt sie für Sicherheit, olé!
Mit Uniform in Blau und Grau,
ist stets zur Stelle, ganz genau.
Für Schutz des Bundes steht sie ein,
so soll es immer sein.

The Federal Police, they watch,
At borders, day and night, so much.
On trains, at airports, on the sea,
They ensure security, yippee!
With uniforms in blue and grey,
Always on duty, come what may.
Protecting the federation is their aim,
Forever shall it be the same.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich trage Uniform und schütze das Land,
bin an Bahnhöfen und Grenzen bekannt.
Der Bund ist mein Chef, nicht das einzelne Land allein.
Wer bin ich, sag schnell, und falle nicht rein!

I wear a uniform and protect the nation,
Known at train stations and border locations.
The Federation is my boss, not the single state's domain.
Who am I, tell me quickly, don't guess in vain!

Solution: Die Bundespolizei (*The Federal Police*)

➕ Other Information

Word Composition: *The word* "Bundespolizei" *is a compound noun, composed of:*

• Bund: *Refers to the* Bundesrepublik Deutschland, *the federal level.* (*Federation*)
• Polizei: *Authority for maintaining public safety and order.* (*Police*)

Trivia:

• *The renaming from* Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS) *to* Bundespolizei *occurred on July 1, 2005, to reflect the broader range of tasks.*
• *The emergency number for the* Bundespolizei *is the same as for the* Landespolizei: 110. *However, the BPOL also has a toll-free service hotline.*