Bundeskriminalamt

(The BKA or Federal Office of Criminal Investigation)

The Federal republic of Germany is made up of sixteen states; each responsible for its internal affairs. Law enforcement is handled by the police of each state - but the Federal Government still retains a number of responsibilities in this area. First and foremost amongst these are handled by the German equivalent of the US's FBI - the Bundeskriminatamt or BKA (translated as the Federal Office of Criminal Investigation).

The BKA was established in 1951 by 'The law concerning the establishment of a Federal of Criminal Police'. Their 'mission' has not changed significantly since then. The BKA are directly responsible to the Federal Ministry of the Interior; their primary function is the collation, evaluation and distribution of information between the State Offices of Criminal Investigation (Landeskriminalamter). To this end they act as a Central Criminal record Office. The focus remains on supporting the state offices of criminal investigation, through intelligence, technical analysis and identification. They also research law enforcement methods and techniques from around the world and advise on them to state police.

The BKA do however gather their own intelligence, and exercise jurisdiction in a number of different areas. They act as the National central Headquarters of Interpol - and are responsible for the investigation of International Crime. They also investigate political offences in conjunction with state police, and in 1975, formed a counter-terrorism unit (although the activities of this particular department have been scaled down in recent years).

The BKA have bases in Weisbaden, Bonn and Berlin.

Grenzschutzgruppe - 9

(GSG-9)
GSG-9 was formed as a result of the German police's mishandling of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre - where several members of the Black September were able to get access to the athlete's enclosure, killing two and taking nine hostage. The situation then degenerated into bloody gunbattle when the German police attempted to stop the terrorists from making their escape by helicopter. All the terrorists and hostages were killed. GSG-9 was formed and became operational only six months later.

All GSG-9 operatives are recruited from the Bundesgrenzschutz (German Border Police), and must be volunteers. Although many are ex-army, it is not possible to transfer directly from the ranks of the German army (Bundeswehr) into GSG-9. The Bundesgrenzschutz itself is a paramilitary organisation responsible for the security of Germany's borders. Typically this involves border surveillance, border checks and general border policing - all in close co-operation with Customs and the Coast/River police. They also guard federal buildings and are expected to re-enforce local police units when required; especially in times of civil disorder.

GSG-9's first high-profile mission occurred in 1977 when members of the Red Army hijacked Flight LH 181. GSG-9 commandos, accompanied by two SAS 'observers' stormed the plane in Somalia, killing three of the terrorists and severely injuring another without loss of hostages or GSG-9 personnel. GSG-9 have completed a number of significant actions against terrorist organisations of one sort or another since, although the organisation's existence was placed in jeopardy in 1994, when Red Army Faction leader Wolfgang Grams was killed resisting arrest by GSG-9 operatives. It was alleged that Grams was executed after being subdued. Shortly after, the home of a GSG-9 operative was firebombed in retaliation; significant as the identity of GSG-9 personnel is a closely guarded secret. In July, GSG-9 were able to save considerable face by subduing a prison riot in Germany, and by arresting the lone hijacker of a KLM flight from Tunis to Amsterdam; the latter being achieved without firing a single shot.

GSG-9 is currently split into three groups; - GSG-9/1 (counter- terrorism); GSG-9/2 (maritime counter-terrorism); and GSG-9/3 (airborne). The first two groups have aprox. 100 operatives each - the third only about 50. The principle combat unit in each group is the five-man patrol. The German government spares no expense in equipping these men, and are issued two complete sets of combat equipment - one tailored for daytime use, the other at night. They are currently experimenting with the SIG SG 551-1P 5.56mm special ops assault rifle, but generally have a large variety of HK MP5s in their arsenal - the preferred assault rifle is the HK 7.62mm G8. Sniper rifles are all chambered in the 7.62mm size. Personal weapons include S&W or Ruger .357 revolvers and/or the Glock 17.

GSG-9 also employ a special aviation unit; - the Bundesgrenzschutz Grenzschutz-Fliegergruppe (reputedly employing the finest pilots in Germany).

Published by arrangement with the Delta Green Partnership. The intellectual property known as Delta Green is TM and is a COPYRIGHT of the Delta Green Partnership, who have licensed its use here. The contents of this document are COPYRIGHTS of the respective authors, excepting those elements that are components of the Delta Green intellectual property.