Bundesgrenzschutz or BGS for short, is the Federal Border Service or Guard of Germany. It is subordinate to the Federal Ministry of the Interior . It is typically described as the police for federal issues (normal police are under the administration of the individual states (Bundesländer). Its responsibilities are much larger than only guarding borders.

Legislation to rename the Bundesgrenzschutz to Bundespolizei (Federal Police; abbreviation BPol) has been introduced by the federal government but has not yet been passed.

The BGS is responsible for border security, protection of federal buildings in the two capitals (Bonn and Berlin), and for providing the federal government's mobile response force for internal security events. It also guards airports, railways and foreign embassies and is responsible for counter-terrorism activities. It provides the German equivalent of air marshals. It is one of several civil organisation providing rescue helicopter service. The BGS can be used to reinforce state police if requested by a state.

Prior to 1994 BGS members had combatant status.

The BGS consists of around 40,000 persons of which 30,000 are fully trained police men and women and is organized along military lines into platoons, companies and battalions with police ranks and police career paths. It is equipped with light infantry weapons, armored vehicles, helicopters and boats.

In general, the BGS has a positive reputation among German citizens. It is perceived as a source of security and as a well-trained, professional organisation. The fact that BGS does not handle normal police duties, like writing speeding tickets, might contribute to this. Its counter-terrorist unit, GSG9, is legendary. Political demonstrators who engaged in violent clashes with the police (normal and BGS) during rallies in the past most likely have a different view.

Organisation

The BGS Headquarters is in Koblenz. The BGS School is in Lübeck.

• 5 Regional Commands
  • North - Bad Bramstedt
  • East - Berlin
  • Middle - Fuldatal
  • South - Munich
  • West - Sankt Augustin
• 98 Inspectorates
• 82 Regional
• 19 Aviation for Airport Security
• 18 Criminal Investigations
• 5 Protection for Mobile Units
• 1 Police/Security

also existing are the

• BGS Flying Service - operates helicopters
• GSG9 - Counter-terrorist Group
• BGS Information and Communications Center
• 11 Mobile Units - Battalion sized housed in barracks

External link

• Bundesgrenzschutz home page (in German)