In August 1945, the four allied powers: America, Britain, France and Russia, divided Germany into four military occupation zones. America took control of the Southern area (comprising what is today the states of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Bremen & Hessen). Britain took the North West (comprising Schleswig Holstein, Hamburg, Nordrhein Westfalen and Niedersachsen), France the South West (comprising Rheinland Pfalz and Saarland) and Russia the East (comprising what is today Brandenburg, Thuringen, Sachsen, Sachsen / Anhalt & Mecklenburg Vorpommern). The Capitol of Berlin was also divided into four quadrants. Note: The Russian sector will be explored separately in the East German Police Thread.
The former German provinces of East Prussia, East Pomerania, and Silesia were transferred to Poland. Originally, Bremen was also to have been part of the British controlled sector, but the Americans took control of Bremen, arguing that they required at least one secure harbor.
By 1955 most of West Germany sovereignty had been restored except Saarland which did not re-join till 1957. East and West Germany would remain divided till 1990.
Each respective allied country brought with it their own unique vision of policing. This can be seen in the wide variety of uniforms and insignia. Additionally, the immediate ramifications on the existing police were also diverse. In some sections, such as the British controlled North West, the continued use of war time uniform (absent the III Reich insignia) was of less concern than in the American sector where uniforms were banned till they could be replaced.
The uniforms and insignia worn in each respective state are diverse. It would be extremely difficult to try and write a detailed outline in this opening. But over time I will attempt to add individual outlines as these threads expand. Those seeking specific information are encouraged to contact me direct. Please understand, I am not an expert, just a collector with a passion for German police insignia.
Suffice to say that the uniform history can, and is encouraged to, be viewed in three different time periods:
From 1945 till 1979, the various states had a wide array of insignia and rank. Additionally, uniforms varied from green to blue, and various shades thereof. One could leave the City State of Hamburg where the police NCOs wore blue uniforms with inverted British style chevrons and go to Schleswig Holstein where they wore Green uniforms with III Reich style rank. In contrast, one could go to Bavaria which had both a State Police (Landespolizei) as well as City Police (Gemeinde / Stadt) forces. The last city police force was Munich, which was finally merged into the state police in 1975. This organization was also prevalent in the other American Sector states.
This confusing structure remained until the mid 70’s when a re-organization took place to clearly define the Police uniform & vehicle standards. This resulted in a standard of green jacket, tan pants and shirts, and green hats. The arm patches and hat badges also were redesigned, the only difference was the display of the states crest in the center. Rank insignia was also changed to one standard style. Vehicles were also redesigned to conform to a white & green motif with the lettering “Polizei” in bold lettering.
In 2005 a 2nd reorganization took place, this time moving away from the green uniforms to a more recognized blue uniform. Hat badges, patches and rank remain the same as before, just in a blue motif. Vehicles also changed to a silver & blue design. The changes are still underway although more than 2/3 are already changed. The last remaining “green” states being Sachsen, Bavaria and Saarland (as of June 2007).
Besides the state police agencies, collectors should also examine the other law enforcement agencies: Bundespolizei (formerly the Bundesgrenzschutz), Bahnpolizei (merged into the BGS in 1992), Zoll, and Bundestagpolizei.
