The Bavarian Ministry of the Interior - Public safety and order

police car

The police - your security in person

Bavaria ranks first in the "Security in Germany" tables

The Ministry of the Interior is the chief commission for the Bavarian police force. On the personnel roster are approximately 33,000 officers, as well as roughly 4,200 salaried employees and 1,400 wage earners. The police are on call round the clock for the public.

The main job of the police is to fight crime and the environment of crime. It concentrates on protecting the people whenever they are threatened or feel at risk. By adopting a coordinated and aggressive approach to crime, we are able to guarantee public safety and order.

Organised crime, computer criminality: throughout Europe there are new forms of crime emerging that the police are fighting in cooperation with other EU countries (and through the integration of Europol, as well). After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 Bavaria adopted the largest security package of all the German federal states at a cost of EUR 200 million, thus creating 650 new jobs with the Bavarian police force. Once again, Bavaria has confirmed its market leadership where "Security in Germany" is concerned.

Even if the accident situation in the years 2000 and 2001 eased slightly, increased efforts will be needed both now and in future to improve road safety in Bavaria. We are making every effort to combat the main causes of serious road accidents , and especially alcohol and drug abuse in road traffic. Also, in view of the large proportion of young adults involved in fatal accidents, we are relying on increased educational work, in particular for this high-risk group. Experience has shown, however, that this alone is not enough, so controls - sometimes stricter ones - are necessary.

Citizens also participate in public safety. This commitment to civic action is seen, for example, in the "Security Watch" program, where some 530 citizens in 510 Bavarian towns voluntarily assist their local police.