NCJ Number
49711
Journal
POLLSTIDNINGEN Volume: 74 Issue: 9 Dated: (1977) Pages: 297-299
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THIS DESCRIPTION OF THE WEST GERMAN BORDER PATROL UNIT GSG 9, A FEDERAL POLICE UNIT ESTABLISHED IN 1973 TO DEAL WITH TERRORIST SITUATIONS, CONSIDERS BOTH THE MILITARY AND POLICE ASPECTS OF THE UNIT.
Abstract
THE GSG 9 UNIT CONTAINS APPROXIMATELY 175 MEN, INCLUDING HELICOPTER PILOTS, MECHANICS, REGULAR PERSONNEL, AND A PSYCHOLOGIST. PERSONNEL ARE ALSO TRAINED TO BE SPECIALISTS IN DOCUMENTATION, EXPLOSIVES, AND HEALTH CARE. VOLUNTEERS ENTER THE SPECIAL UNIT FROM THE REGULAR POLICE FORCES AND ATTEND A 22-WEEK TRAINING COURSE DURING WHICH THEY RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN VARIOUS TYPES OF WEAPONS (INCLUDING FOREIGN HAND WEAPONS), SHOOTING UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS, KARATE, AND PARACHUTING WITH PRACTICE AT AIRPORTS AND INSIDE AIRCRAFT. THE TRAINEES ALSO RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT THEORY AND PRACTICE, CRIMINOLOGY, AND PSYCHOLOGY. THE GSG 9 TRAINING COURSE AND THE HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE OF THE UNIT RESEMBLE THAT OF MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS, BUT THE UNIT ADHERES TO SEVERAL STANDARDS ASSOCIATED WITH REGULAR POLICE WORK. IN A HOSTAGE SITUATION, THE UNIT SHOULD ALWAYS CONSIDER THE WELL-BEING OF THE VICTIMS AS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR, AND AN OFFICER CAN SHOOT AT A TERRORIST ONLY AS A LAST RESORT. THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST POLICE UNION HAS RECENTLY BEGUN TO ACCEPT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BORDER PATROL UNIT AND HAS TAKEN STEPS TO INTEGRATE GSG 9 INTO ITS ORGANIZATION. THE UNION WILL REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT RESTRUCTURING OF THE UNIT. --IN SWEDISH. (DAG)