die  Kriminalpolizei

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kʁɪmɪnalpoliˈt͡saɪ/

🕵️‍♀️ What does Kriminalpolizei mean?

Die Kriminalpolizei (often abbreviated as Kripo) is a specialized branch of the police force in German-speaking countries responsible for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of criminal offenses (Straftaten). Unlike the Schutzpolizei (uniformed police primarily responsible for public order and safety), the Kriminalpolizei focuses on investigative work related to crimes.

It is a feminine noun, so the correct article is die Kriminalpolizei. It is mostly used in the singular to refer to the organization as a whole.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Kriminalpolizei

The word „Kriminalpolizei“ is a feminine noun. It is almost exclusively used in the singular as it refers to the institution or organization. A plural form („die Kriminalpolizeien“) is grammatically possible but very uncommon and would refer to different criminal police forces (e.g., in different countries or federal states).

Declension (Singular)

Example Sentences

1. Die Kriminalpolizei ermittelt in dem Fall. (The criminal investigation police are investigating the case.)
2. Der Bericht wurde an die Kriminalpolizei weitergeleitet. (The report was forwarded to the criminal investigation police.)
3. Die Arbeit der Kriminalpolizei ist oft sehr komplex. (The work of the criminal investigation police is often very complex.)
4. Man erkennt Beamte der Kriminalpolizei oft nicht an einer Uniform. (You often don't recognize officers of the criminal investigation police by a uniform.)

💡 Usage Notes for Kriminalpolizei

„Kriminalpolizei“ is used in official language, media, and everyday speech when referring to police investigative work concerning criminal acts.

• Abbreviation: The most common and widely known abbreviation is „Kripo“. Example: „Die Kripo hat Spuren gesichert.“ (The Kripo secured evidence.)
• Context: Typically used in connection with crimes (Verbrechen), investigations (Ermittlungen), interrogations (Vernehmungen), securing evidence (Spurensicherung), and prosecution (Strafverfolgung).
• Distinction: It is clearly distinguished from the „Schutzpolizei“ (Schupo), which is the uniformed police force responsible for public order and safety.
• Officers: Officers of the Kriminalpolizei are often called Kriminalbeamte (criminal police officers) or Kriminalkommissare (detective inspectors).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of die Polizei – the base word is feminine. The specialized form, die Kriminalpolizei, keeps this feminine article. Imagine a female detective (Ermittlerin - feminine!) securing clues – she belongs to die Kriminalpolizei.

Meaning Mnemonic: Kriminal sounds like 'criminal'. Die Kriminalpolizei is the police force that deals with criminal cases, i.e., investigating crimes.

🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: „Wo waren Sie in der Nacht vom siebten auf den achten?“
Antwortet der Angeklagte: „Feiern! Es war mein erster Tag in Freiheit nach zehn Jahren Haft.“

Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Where were you on the night of the seventh to the eighth?"
The defendant answers: "Celebrating! It was my first day of freedom after ten years in prison."

✍️ Poem about the Kripo

Wo Schatten lauern, tief und schwer,
kommt sie zum Einsatz, bitte sehr.
Die Kripo sucht mit scharfem Blick,
löst jeden Fall, Stück für Stück.
Kein Täter kann sich lang verstecken,
sie wird ihn finden, ihn aufwecken.
Für Recht und Wahrheit steht sie ein,
die Kriminalpolizei, fein!

Translation:
Where shadows lurk, deep and severe,
it comes into action, please do hear.
The Kripo searches with a sharp gaze,
solves every case, in many ways.
No culprit can hide for long,
they will find him, where he went wrong.
For justice and truth, it takes a stand,
the criminal police, across the land!

❓ Little Riddle

Ich trage oft Zivil, nicht Blau,
und nehme Spuren sehr genau.
Ich jage Diebe, löse Fälle,
an jeder dunklen Tatortstelle.

Wer bin ich, diese Sondereinheit?
Bekannt für meine Ermittlungsarbeit.

Translation:
I often wear plain clothes, not blue,
And examine clues precisely, it's true.
I chase down thieves, solve cases right,
At every dark crime scene's site.

Who am I, this special squad?
Known for my investigative job.

Solution: Die Kriminalpolizei (Kripo) / The criminal investigation police

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition

The word „Kriminalpolizei“ is a compound noun, composed of:

• Kriminal: Derived from the Latin word crimen (crime, accusation). It refers to criminal offenses.
• Polizei: Derived from the Greek politeia (state administration, citizenship) and Latin politia. Denotes the state executive power for maintaining public safety and order.

Together, it means the „police for criminal cases/crimes“.

Trivia

• In Germany, the Kriminalpolizei is usually organizationally part of the state police forces (Landespolizeien) or the Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt - BKA).
• Officers undergo specialized training to prepare them for investigative work.