History UsefulNotes / TheThinFormerlyGreenLine

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'': Inside the Banana guard station, there is a random plaque of the word "[[GratuitousGerman Polizei]]" on the wall, complete with a German-esque Brunswick star. [[WidgetSeries As per usual]] for the show, ItMakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext.

-->'''Policeman:''' Fräulein, you can't swim in this lake. It's illegal.
-->'''Woman:''' Couldn't you have told me that ''before'' I stripped naked?!
-->'''Policeman:''' [[CovertPervert Stripping naked]] [[LawfulStupid isn't illegal]].

* Then there also is ''Series/{{Fringe}}'', which features the "Wissenschaft Prison" ([[GratuitousGerman whatever the hell that's supposed to mean]]) just outside of Frankfurt, a [[TheAlcatraz ridiculously high security prison]] (''especially'' for [[WeAllLiveInAmerica German standards]]), which ''should'' technically be run by the Ministry of Justice, but instead comes off rather... uncomfortably militaristic. In any case, [[BrickJoke the guards there still wear green]].

-->'''Woman:''' Couldn't have told me that ''before'' I stripped naked?!
-->'''Policeman:''' [[CovertPervert Stripping naked]] [[LawfulStupid isn't illegal]].[[note]]At least for women.[[/note]]

It is, similarly to US law enforcement, not a single entity, but a multitude of police forces operating both on regional (well, state) and national level. It used to be different, both under UsefulNotes/NaziGermany and UsefulNotes/EastGermany, who once opted for highly centralized, paramilitary police forces (being ideal for autocratic states) rather than the [[SarcasmMode quirky and freedom-loving lawmen they are nowadays]].

Every German ''[[UsefulNotes/TheSixteenLandsOfDeutschland Land]]'' has its own police force, and then there are federal entities like the ''Bundespolizei'',[[note]]which answers to the Ministry of the Interior and handles everything border and transportation-related; so whenever you come to Germany, those would be the first and last guys you'd see; plus, they're also the umbrella organisation of the famed [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous GSG-9]][[/note]] the ''Bundeszollverwaltung''[[note]]or just ''Zoll'': Customs, which answers to the Ministry of Finance[[/note]] and the ''Bundeskriminalamt''.[[note]]Federal Crime Office, which answers to the Ministry of the Interior, and is tasked with handling organized and cross-state crime - basically the German version of the FBI.[[/note]]

* ''Series/BabylonBerlin'' offers the late 1920s flavor of the City of Berlin police, focusing on the ''Sittendezernat'' (vice squad), ''Morddezernat'' (homicide squad) and the ''Politische Polizei'' (the ''[[UsefulNotes/TheGestapo Gestapo's]]'' and ''Verfassungsschutz''' predecessor organisation).

* ''Series/BabylonBerlin'' offers the late 1920s flavor of the City of Berlin police, focusing on the ''Sittendezernat'' (vice squad), ''Morddezernat'' (homicide squad) and the ''Politische Polizei'' (the ''[[UsefulNotes/TheGestapo Gestapo's]]'' and ''Verfassungsschutz''' predecessor organisation).

It is, similarly to US law enforcement, not a single entity, but a multitude of police forces operating both on regional (well, state) and national level. It used to be different, both under ThoseWackyNazis and UsefulNotes/EastGermany, who once opted for highly centralized, paramilitary police forces (being ideal for autocratic states) rather than the [[SarcasmMode quirky and freedom-loving lawmen they are nowadays]].

As for the "Thin Green Line"... While several German states historically had their policemen, gendarmes and soldiers wore green uniforms (Bavaria in particular), green became Germany's standardised police colour from 1936 to 1945, and again from the 1970s to the early 2000s[[note]]on both sides of the Iron Curtain - though the GDR's ''Volkspolizei'' had colder and more blue-ish hues[[/note]] and consisted of ''[[HighlyConspicuousUniform hilarious]]'' bright green blazers, mustard-yellow shirts (earning them the unfortunate nickname ''Senfmännchen'' - Mustard Men), [[BringMyBrownPants brown trousers]] and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking black ties]].

* ''Series/{{Tatort}}'' is, naturally, all about the Polizei, and features investigative teams from State Polices all over Germany. Police is usually portrayed sympathetically if "human" (i.e. almost none of them live HappilyMarried in domestic bliss)

* ''Series/BabylonBerlin'' offers the late 1920s flavour of the City of Berlin police, focusing on the ''Sittendezernat'' (vice squad), ''Morddezernat'' (homicide squad) and the ''politische Polizei'' (the ''[[UsefulNotes/TheGestapo Gestapo's]]'' and ''Verfassungsschutz''' predecessor organisation).

-->'''Policeman:''' [[CovertPervert Stripping naked]] [[LawfulStupid isn't illegal]].[[note]]At least for women[[/note]]

It is, similarly to US law enforcement, not a single entity, but a multitude of police forces operating both on regional (well, state) and national level. It used to be different, both under ThoseWackyNazis and UsefulNotes/EastGermany, who once opted for highly centralised, paramilitary police forces (being ideal for autocratic states) rather than the [[SarcasmMode quirky and freedom-loving lawmen they are nowadays]].

Every German ''[[UsefulNotes/TheSixteenLandsOfDeutschland Land]]'' has its own police force, and then there are federal entities like the ''Bundespolizei'',[[note]]which answers to the Ministry of the Interior and handles everything border and transportation-related; so whenever you come to Germany, those would be the first and last guys you'd see; plus, they're also the umbrella organisation of the famed [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous GSG-9]][[/note]] the ''Bundeszollverwaltung''[[note]]or just ''Zoll'': Customs, which answers to the Ministry of Finance[[/note]] and the ''Bundeskriminalamt''.[[note]]Federal Crime Office, which answers to the Ministry of the Interior, and is tasked with handling organised and cross-state crime - basically the German version of the FBI[[/note]]

* ''Series/BabylonBerlin'' offers the late 1920s flavour of the City of Berlin police, focusing on the ''Sittendezernat''(vice squad), ''Morddezernat'' (homicide squad) and the ''politische Polizei'' (the ''[[UsefulNotes/TheGestapo Gestapo's]]'' and ''Verfassungsschutz''' predecessor).

* ''Series/BabylonBerlin'' offers the late 1920s flavour of the City of Berlin police, focusing on the ''Sittendezernat''(vice squad), ''Morddezernat'' (homicide squad) and the ''politische Polizei'' (the ''[[UsefulNotes/{{Gestapo}} Gestapo's'' and ''Verfassungsschutz''' predecessor).

* ''BabylonBerlin'' offers the late 1920s flavour of the City of Berlin police, focusing on the ''Sittendezernat''(vice squad), ''Morddezernat'' (homicide squad) and the ''politische Polizei'' (the ''[[{{Gestapo}} Gestapo's'' and ''Verfassungsschutz''' predecessor).

--> In hell, '''all of the policemen are German''', all of the lovers are Swiss, all of the [[ForeignQueasine chefs are British]], all of the [[TheAllegedCar cars are French]], and the whole thing is run by the Italians.

It should be noted that the ''Verfassungsschutz''[[note]]Office for the Protection of the Constitution[[/note]] doesn't count, since it's already are supposed to be Germany's [[BigBrotherIsWatchingThisIndex domestic intelligence service]]. Neither do the ''Feldjäger'', which are proper Military Police and hence [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Not The Wehrmacht]].

Every German ''[[UsefulNotes/TheSixteenLandsOfDeutschland Land]]'' has its own police force, and then there are federal entities like the ''Bundespolizei''[[note]]which answers to the Ministry of the Interior and handles everything border and transportation-related; so whenever you come to Germany, those would be the first and last guys you'd see; plus, they're also the umbrella organisation of the famed [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous GSG-9]][[/note]], the ''Bundeszollverwaltung''[[note]]or just ''Zoll'': Customs, which answers to the Ministry of Finance[[/note]] and the ''Bundeskriminalamt''.[[note]]Federal Crime Office, which answers to the Ministry of the Interior, and is tasked with handling organised and cross-state crime - basically the German version of the FBI[[/note]]

Every German ''[[UsefulNotes/TheSixteenLandsOfDeutschland Land]]'' has its own police force, and then there are federal entities like the ''Bundespolizei'', [[note]]which answers to the Ministry of the Interior and handles everything border and transportation-related; so whenever you come to Germany, those would be the first and last guys you'd see; plus, they're also the umbrella organisation of the famed [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous GSG-9]][[/note]], the ''Bundeszollverwaltung'' [[note]]or just ''Zoll'': Customs, which answers to the Ministry of Finance[[/note]] and the ''Bundeskriminalamt''. [[note]]Federal Crime Office, which answers to the Ministry of the Interior, and is tasked with handling organised and cross-state crime - basically the German version of the FBI[[/note]]

Every German ''[[UsefulNotes/TheSixteenLandsOfDeutschland Land]]'' has its own police force, and then there are federal entities like the ''Bundespolizei'' [[note]]who answer to the Ministry of the Interior and handle everything border- and transportation-related; so whenever you come to Germany, those would be the first and last guys you'd see; plus, they're also the umbrella organisation of the famed [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous GSG-9]][[/note]], the ''Bundeszollverwaltung'' (or just ''Zoll'': Customs, which answers to the Ministry of Finance) and the ''Bundeskriminalamt'' [[note]]Federal Crime Office, who answer to the Ministry of the Interior, and are tasked with handling organised and cross-state crime - basically the German version of the FBI[[/note]].

As for the "Thin Green Line"... While several German states historically had their policemen, gendarmes and soldiers wear green uniforms (Bavaria in particular), green became Germany's staunchly standardised police colour from 1936 to 1945, and again from the 1970s to the early 2000s[[note]]on both sides of the Iron Curtain, in fact - though the GDR's ''Volkspolizei'' had colder and more blue-ish hues[[/note]] and consisted of the ''[[HighlyConspicuousUniform hilarious]]'' bright green blazers, mustard-yellow shirts (earning them the unfortunate nickname ''Senfmännchen'' - Mustard Men), [[BringMyBrownPants brown trousers]] and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking black ties]].

After a uniform reform in 2004, each state got to choose their own uniforms; most opted for boring blue (including the ''Bundespolizei''), and some for black (like Hamburg), but Bavaria and Saarland decided to stay green (though they did get rid of the ridiculous green blazers in favour of snazzy black leather jackets). As for many police vehicles - many still retained their greens and whites since repaint them. As of 2017, Bavaria decided to go ''[[UsefulNotes/{{Austria}} Austrian]]'' route (of all things), adapting white caps, dark blue overalls with yellow lettering and pale blue lampasses.

Ps: The ''Verfassungsschutz'' (Office for the Protection of the Constitution) doesn't count, because they already are supposed to be Germany's [[BigBrotherIsWatchingThisIndex domestic intelligence service]]. Neither do the ''Feldjäger'', who are proper Military Police and hence [[UsefulNotes/WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Not The Wehrmacht]].

Every German ''[[UsefulNotes/TheSixteenLandsOfDeutschland Land]]'' has its own police force, and then there are federal entities like the ''Bundespolizei'' [[note]]who answer to the Ministry of the Interior and handle everything border- and transportation-related; so whenever you come to Germany, those would be the first and last guys you'd see; plus, they're also the umbrella organisation of the famed [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous GSG-9]][[/note]], the ''Zoll'' (Customs, which answers to the Ministry of Finance) and the ''Bundeskriminalamt'' [[note]]Federal Crime Office, who answer to the Ministry of the Interior, and are tasked with handling organised and cross-state crime - basically the German version of the FBI[[/note]].

Every German ''[[UsefulNotes/TheSixteenLandsOfDeutschland Land]]'' has its own police force, and then there are federal entities like the ''Bundespolizei'' [[note]]who answer to the Ministry of the Interior and handle everything border- and transportation-related; so whenever you come to Germany, those would be the first and last guys you'd see; plus, they're also the umbrella organisation of the famed [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous GSG-9]][[/note]], the ''Zoll'' (Customs, which answers to the Ministry of Finance) and the ''Bundeskriminalamt'' (Federal Crime Office, tasked with handling organised and cross-state crime - basically the German version of the FBI), who answer directly to the Ministry of the Interior rather than any state.

Every German ''[[UsefulNotes/TheSixteenLandsOfDeutschland Land]]'' has its own police force, and then there are federal entities like the ''Bundespolizei'' (who handle everything border-, customs- and transportation-related; so whenever you come to Germany, those would be the first and last guys you'd see; plus, they're also the umbrella organisation of the famed [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous GSG-9]]), and the ''Bundeskriminalamt'' (Federal Crime Office, tasked with handling organised and cross-state crime - basically the German version of the FBI), who answer directly to the Ministry of the Interior rather than any state.

The Polizei doesn't necessarily share (or [[OldFashionedCopper no longer shares]]) certain other countries' stereotypes of being [[PoliceBrutality overly violent]], [[DirtyCop corrupt]] or even [[DonutMessWithACop lazy]] (remember, they're [[GermanicEfficiency German]]), but they are still gladly depicted as [[MeddlesomePatrolman stuffy, pompous, uppity, ignorant]], [[ObstructiveBureaucrat dictatorially bureaucratic]] and [[OldFashionedCopper racist]], in combination with [[PoliceAreUseless not being terribly smart]].

As for the "Thin Green Line"... While several German states historically had their policemen, gendarmes and soldiers wear green uniforms (Bavaria in particular), green became Germany's staunchly standardised police colour from 1936 to 1945, and from the 1970s to the early 2000s (on both sides of the Iron Curtain, in fact - though they ''were'' colder and more blue-ish hues in the GDR), and consisted of the ''[[HighlyConspicuousUniform hilarious]]'' bright green blazers, mustard-yellow shirts (earning them the unfortunate nickname ''Senfmännchen'' - Mustard Men), [[BringMyBrownPants brown trousers]] and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking black ties]].

After a uniform reform in 2004, each state got to choose their own uniforms; most opted for boring blue (including the ''Bundespolizei''), and some for black (like Hamburg), but Bavaria and Saarland decided to stay green (though they ''did'' get rid of the ridiculous green blazers in favour of snazzy black leather jackets). As for many police vehicles - they often still are all green and white because no one bothered to repaint them. Then, as of 2015, Bavaria has apparently decided - for no explicable reason - to go ''[[UsefulNotes/{{Austria}} Austrian]]'' of all things (purchasing surplus white caps, dark blue overalls with yellow lettering and pale blue lampasses from the Austrian Police Force).

It is, similarly to US law enforcement, not a single entity, but a multitude of police forces operating both on regional (well, state) and national level. It used to be different, both under ThoseWackyNazis and EastGermany, who once opted for highly centralised, paramilitary police forces (being ideal for autocratic states) rather than the [[SarcasmMode quirky and freedom-loving lawmen they are nowadays]].

This page is about the ''Polizei'', so law enforcement in UsefulNotes/TheBerlinRepublic, and UsefulNotes/WestGermany before that.

It is, similarly to US law enforcement, not a single entity, but a multitude of police forces operating both on regional (well, state) and national level. It used to be different, both under ThoseWackyNazis and EastGermany, both of whom once opted for highly centralised, paramilitary police forces (who are ideal for autocratic states) rather than the [[SarcasmMode quirky and freedom-loving lawmen they are nowadays]].

Every German ''[[UsefulNotes/TheSixteenLandsOfDeutschland Land]]'' has its own police force, and there additionally are federal entities like the ''Bundespolizei'' (who handle everything border-, customs- and transportation-related; so whenever you come to Germany, those would be the first and last guys you'd see; plus, they're also the umbrella organisation of the famed [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous GSG-9]]), and the ''Bundeskriminalamt'' (Federal Crime Office, tasked with handling organised and cross-state crime - basically the German version of the FBI), who answer directly to the Ministry of the Interior instead of any state.

The Polizei doesn't necessarily share (or [[OldFashionedCopper no longer shares]]) certain other countries' reputations of being [[PoliceBrutality overly violent]] or [[DirtyCop corrupt]] or even [[DonutMessWithACop lazy]] (remember, they're [[GermanicEfficiency German]]), but they are still gladly depicted as [[MeddlesomePatrolman stuffy, pompous, uppity, ignorant]], [[ObstructiveBureaucrat dictatorially bureaucratic]] and [[OldFashionedCopper racist]], in combination with [[PoliceAreUseless not being terribly smart]].

As for the "Thin Green Line"... While several German states historically had their policemen, gendarmes and soldiers wear green uniforms (Bavaria in particular), green indeed was Germany's staunchly standardised police colour from 1936 to 1945, and from the 1970s to the early 2000s (on both sides of the Iron Curtain, in fact - though they ''were'' darker and more blue-ish hues in the GDR), and consisted of the ''[[HighlyConspicuousUniform hilarious]]'' bright green blazers, mustard-yellow shirts (earning them the unfortunate nickname ''Senfmännchen'' - Mustard Men), [[BringMyBrownPants brown trousers]] and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking black ties]].

This page is about the ''Polizei'', so law enforcement in UsefulNotes/TheBerlinRepublic, and WestGermany before that.

--> In heaven, all the [[BritishCoppers policemen are British]], all of the [[EverythingSoundsSexierInFrench lovers are French]], all of the [[FoodPorn chefs are Italian]], all of the [[CoolCar cars are German]], and the whole thing is run by the Swiss.

As for the "Thin Green Line"... While several German states historically had their policemen, gendarmes and soldiers wear green uniforms (Bavaria in particular), green indeed was Germany's staunchly standardised police colour from the 1970s to the early 2000s (on both sides of the Iron Curtain, in fact - though they ''were'' darker and more blue-ish hues in the GDR), and consisted of the ''[[HighlyConspicuousUniform hilarious]]'' bright green blazers, mustard-yellow shirts (earning them the unfortunate nickname ''Senfmännchen'' - Mustard Men), [[BringMyBrownPants brown trousers]] and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking black ties]].

Ps: The ''Verfassungsschutz'' (Office for the Protection of the Constitution) doesn't count, because they already are supposed to be Germany's [[BigBrotherIsWatchingThisIndex domestic intelligence service]]. Neither do the ''Feldjäger'', who are proper Military Police and hence [[WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Not The Wehrmacht]].

This page is about the ''Polizei'', so law enforcement in TheBerlinRepublic, and WestGermany before that.