General security issues

Public security is one of the most important tasks of domestic policy in Germany. It entails both protecting individuals against violence, crime and terror, and protecting our Constitution. People can realize their personal and professional potential, and the basic values embodied in the Constitution can be part of everyday life only in a society not threatened by crime.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior uses all legal means to carry out this task. It receives assistance from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the Federal Police (BPOL), the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).

In addition to fighting crime, it is necessary to recognize what causes it and take appropriate action. Community policing is just as important as tackling cross-border and international crime and terrorism. In this context, law enforcement cooperation within the European Union continues to grow in importance. Here, the key players are Europol, the Schengen network, the European Police College, the European Borders Agency (FRONTEX) and the European Network of Railway Police Forces (RAILPOL).
To maintain public security, the Federal Government increasingly relies on preventive measures. This means understanding the varied causes of crime and violence. In order to tackle crime at the root, the Federal Government and the German states (Länder) founded the German Forum for Crime Prevention (DFK), a charitable foundation under private law. Its management board and trustees come from the highest ranks of academia, business, churches, social welfare organizations, government agencies and the media as well as specialist institutions.