die  Polizeidirektion

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/poliˈt͡saɪdiʁɛkˈt͡si̯oːn/

🏢 What exactly is a Polizeidirektion?

The German noun Polizeidirektion (feminine, article 'die') refers to a higher-level police authority or headquarters responsible for a larger area. In the hierarchy, it is usually positioned above individual Polizeiinspektionen (police stations) or Polizeireviere (precincts) and below a Polizeipräsidium (police headquarters, often for a larger city or region) or a state police authority (Landespolizeibehörde).

It represents a central administrative and command center for the police within a specific district or region. 🚨 Attention: The exact structure and terminology can vary depending on the federal state (Bundesland) in Germany.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Polizeidirektion

The word 'Polizeidirektion' is a feminine noun. The correct article is die.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences

• Die zuständige Polizeidirektion hat die Ermittlungen aufgenommen.
  (The responsible police directorate has started the investigations.)
• Er arbeitet seit zehn Jahren bei der Polizeidirektion Hannover.
  (He has been working at the Hanover police directorate for ten years.)
• Mehrere Polizeidirektionen waren an dem Einsatz beteiligt.
  (Several police directorates were involved in the operation.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage

The term Polizeidirektion is primarily used in official language, news reports, and administrative contexts. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to talk about 'die Polizei' (the police) in general or a specific 'Polizeiwache' (police station) when referring to a local office.

You use 'Polizeidirektion' when referring to the higher-level authority or the main building of this authority in a region.

• Context: Official reports, administration, news.
• Distinction: A Polizeiwache or Polizeirevier is a smaller, local station. A Polizeipräsidium is often one level higher than a Direktion (though this varies regionally).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article 'die': Many German nouns ending in -tion are feminine and take the article 'die' (e.g., die Nation, die Station, die Direktion). Remember: The Direktion (feminine ending) directs the police action!

Meaning: Imagine the Polizei (police) needs a central Direktion (directorate/management) to direct all operations in a large area.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

⚠️ Important: The exact hierarchies and terms (Direktion vs. Präsidium) can differ depending on the German federal state.

😄 A Little Chuckle

Warum hat die Polizeidirektion einen neuen Teppich bekommen?
Damit die Fälle besser vertuscht werden können! 😉

(Why did the police directorate get a new carpet?
So they can cover up the cases better! — 'ver-tuschen' means to cover up, 'Tuch' is cloth)

📜 A Little Poem

Im Haus, das Ordnung schützt und wacht,
Die Polizeidirektion bei Tag und Nacht.
Verwaltung, Führung, Plan und Rat,
Für Sicherheit in Stadt und Staat.

(In the house that guards and keeps order,
The Police Directorate day and night.
Administration, command, plan, and advice,
For security in city and state.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin kein kleines Revier,
doch Ordnung schaffe ich hier.
Ich leite Polizei in einem großen Kreis,
mein Name endet auf '-tion', wie jeder weiß.

Wer bin ich?

(I'm not a small precinct,
but I establish order here.
I lead the police in a large district,
my name ends in '-tion', as everyone knows.

Who am I?)
Solution: Die Polizeidirektion

🧩 Other Interesting Details

Word Composition

The word 'Polizeidirektion' is a compound noun, composed of:

• Polizei: From Greek 'politeia' (state administration, citizenship).
• Direktion: From Latin 'directio' (direction, management).

So it literally means 'Management/Administration of the Police'.

Regional Variations

As mentioned before, the structures and names of police authorities can vary across German federal states (Bundesländer), as well as in Austria and Switzerland. Sometimes the function of a Direktion corresponds to a Präsidium or a Landespolizeiinspektion elsewhere.