Polizei beim Deutschen Bundestag (English: Police at the German Bundestag), also known as Parlamentspolizei or Bundestagspolizei,[1][2] is a separate police force for the premises of the Bundestag (the German parliament's lower house) in Berlin. The police force acts on behalf of the President of the Bundestag in their capacity as a law enforcement power for these premises.[3]
| German Parliament Police Polizei beim Deutschen Bundestag | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Common name | Parlamentspolizei |
| Abbreviation | Polizei DBT |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | April 1950 |
| Preceding agency |
|
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Germany |
| Legal jurisdiction | German Parliament |
| Governing body | President of the Bundestag |
| Constituting instrument |
|
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Berlin |
| Website | |
| bundestag.de (German) | |
History
editIn April 1950 the Hausinspektion der Verwaltung des Deutschen Bundestags (English: House Inspectorate of the Administration of the German Parliament) was established to ensure the rule of law on the premises of the Bundestag in Bonn. Ranks differed considerably from that of other German police forces of the time. In 1994 it was renamed to its current name and ranks became similar to other police forces.
Legal basis
editAccording to Article 40, 2 of the German constitution only the President of the Bundestag may exercise police powers within the Bundestag's premises. Therefore a special police service independent from the executive power was necessary. The Bundespolizeibeamtengesetz (English: Federal Police Officer Act) is applicable for all law enforcement officers of the Parliament Police.
Duties
editThe police officers are recruited from state or federal police agencies. Their role includes the vetting of visitors to the Bundestag, and removal of intruders.[1][2]
Since 2018 they wear a uniform, which is similar to Bundespolizei (Federal Police), but with their own patch, the eagle of the Bundestag, with "Polizei" above it. [4]
Unlike any other police officers, officers of the Parliament Police are not empowered to assist Public Prosecutors in investigating crimes; they require explicit permission of the President of the Bundestag for such a role.
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b "According to Detlef Lenz, member of the Bundestag police force, the vetting process for visitors to the parliament has also changed over the decades, especially after the rise of the Red Army Faction in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and after ..." (Barnstone 2005, p. 84)
- ^ a b "...Ruin der Kleinen Bauern AG Bauernblatt (Ruin for small farmers newsletter). He, along with other intruders, was taken by members of the Bundestag police unit from the gallery to an interrogation room to have his particulars noted." (UK House of Lords 1985, p. 88)
- ^ German Bundestag staff 2010, Administration.
- ^ "Deutscher Bundestag - Neue Uniformen für die Parlamentspolizei des Deutschen Bundestages".
References
edit- Barnstone, Deborah Ascher (2005), The transparent state: architecture and politics in postwar Germany, p. 84
- UK House of Lords (1985), Sessional papers printed by order of the House of Lords: Minutes of proceedings ... Public Bills ... Reports from committees ... Miscellaneous, vol. 12, p. 88
- German Bundestag staff (3 June 2010), Administration of the German Bundestag, German Bundestag