For your safety. Your National Police

For your safety.
Your National Police
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The National Police – a successful
and community-based law enforcement authority
The National Police is the central authority with respon-
As Commissioner it is therefore my goal to oversee an
sibility for safeguarding internal security in our country.
open, community-based law enforcement organisation
The tasks the National Police is required to perform
whose policing operations are dedicated at all times to
have changed markedly over the years and have be-
the principles of commensurability and transparency.
come increasingly complex. New forms of crimes in the
The successful police work of the past years and the
digital world, the shifting leisure patterns of a “24-hour
positive feedback from many members of the popula-
society”, the increased mobility of citizens as well as the
tion as well as from our foreign law enforcement partners
internationalisation of crime in a globalised economy
confirm and support our approach.
and in an united Europe place exacting demands on
the organisation and personnel of the National Police in
This brochure is intended to contribute towards this
qualitative as well as in quantitative terms. While we are
objective. It provides interested parties with information
a small law enforcement authority, our daily remit is to
about the organisation, the responsibilities and activities
face up to these huge challenges in order to enable the
as well as the history of the Liechtenstein National Po-
inhabitants of Liechtenstein to live their lives in safety
lice, thereby providing insights into our country’s central
and security. In order to fulfil this remit, we are depen-
law enforcement authority.
dent upon the trust and understanding of the population. They need to be aware of what the National Police
does, as well as why and with what resources it goes
about its business.
Jules S. Hoch
Commissioner
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The National Police is the sole police authority in Liechtenstein. It has over
one hundred officers and other staff and is responsible for public security.
Jules S. Hoch
National Commissioner
Jules S. Hoch
Commissioner
Chief of Staff
Uwe Langenbahn
Commissioner’s Office
Registry
Public Information Center
Legal Service /
Advisor for Data Protection
Finance & Controlling
Uwe Langenbahn
Chief of Staff
Executive Support Division
Uwe Langenbahn
Security and Traffic Division
Mario Büchel
Crime Investigation Division
Andreas Schädler
System Organisation & Quality Department
Administration Security & Traffic Division
Administration Crime Investigation Division
International Police Cooperation
Security Unit
Crime Intelligence Unit
Logistics
Traffic Unit
Financial Crime Unit
Emergency Call & Dispatch Center
Traffic Engineering & Prevention Unit
Special Offense Unit
Mario Büchel
Head of the Security and Traffic Division
Andreas Schädler
Head of the Crime Investigation Division
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Information Technology
Special Police Unit (SWAT)
Serious Crime Unit
State Penitentiary
Riot Police
Forensic Unit
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Always there for you
Together we are strong
The Emergency Call and Dispatch Center takes emer-
Crime does not stop at the borders of the small state
gency calls, telephone calls or alarms over the numbers
of Liechtenstein. For this reason the question of inter-
112, 117 and 118. Our dispatchers staff work around
national police work has become hugely important.
the clock, 365 days in the year. They take a call on ave-
Liechtenstein’s compact dimensions mean there are
rage every nine minutes. Whether this involves simple
many cases that also involve neighbouring countries.
traffic accidents, domestic violence or other serious
Thanks to the trilateral Police Cooperation Treaty with
crimes, the response to every call has to be fast and
Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein has excellent
means the appropriate security and rescue organisa-
contacts in the field of cross-border cooperation. This
tions need to be assigned. These include, inter alia, the
is impressively manifested by mixed patrols, the prompt
units of the National Police, the fire brigade, the medical
exchange of information about current crime phe-
services, the mountain rescue and lifeguard service
nomena and specific events as well as coordinated
as well as crisis intervention teams. State-of-the-art
searches or manhunts.
communication and information technologies enable
us to respond quickly, efficiently and professionally to
Cooperation is maintained not merely regionally with
minor and major incidents as well as to any extraordi-
neighbouring police authorities in Switzerland and
nary events. Our mobile command post is deployed if
Austria, but also Europe-wide as a member of the
major deployments at particular locations need to be
Schengen Treaty and Europol as well as worldwide
coordinated. The available systems and databases make
via Interpol.
it possible to check individuals and vehicles quickly.
An effective analysis of the situation can be rapidly
established.
The National Police ensures that Liechtenstein is provided with modern, responsive and efficient emergency management. In the fight against crime we work
closely together with our regional and international law enforcement partners.
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On the road
The number of vehicles on Liechtenstein’s roads has
Checks are also necessary in the field of heavy goods
been rising inexorably. One of our principle tasks is
vehicles: adherence to driving hours, working hours and
to ensure that traffic safety is maintained, despite this
rest hours is checked on roads and at business sites.
increase. The steady presence of uniformed patrols as
In addition, the rules governing the transportation of
well as regular traffic and speed controls have a preven-
hazardous materials as well as the technical condition
tative effect. This boosts road safety and consequently
of vehicles are also checked. In order to minimise traffic
helps prevent accidents. Nevertheless, not all accidents
disruption, we even escort exceptional haulage loads
can be avoided. For this reason we immediately dis-
and draw up road traffic concepts together with the
patch officers whenever an accident is reported and
resulting traffic management measures at major events.
ensure that the necessary measures are taken at the
A range of security measures are moreover implement-
site: securing the site of the accident, providing injured
ed during state visits and state guests are provided with
persons with assistance, coordinating urgent immediate
motorbike escorts.
measures and conducting the necessary investigations.
Ever-shifting networks mean the level of support provided for other organisations in Liechtenstein and abroad
is continuously rising. For this reason, legal and administrative cooperation have also become part of our regular
duties.
Our responsibilities include responding immediately to traffic accidents
and investigating such incidents, as well as our preventative presence
on the streets.
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Public safety and security
Within the context of the provision of basic police ser-
In order to ensure that public safety is maintained at
vices, we are responsible for maintaining law and order
major occasions such as sport events or on the national
in Liechtenstein. To enable us to respond quickly in an
holiday, Security Corps deployments are essential.
emergency, we have teams on call-duty around the
The presence of our security personnel prevents major
clock. Our patrols raise our public profile and signify that
escalations and can defuse conflicts through dialogue.
we can intervene immediately as and when required.
We are supported in such deployments by the auxiliary
Whether on account of thefts, violence or child welfare:
police, who work on a part-time basis. This unit can be
our day-to-day work involves assignments of all kinds.
drawn upon in conjunction with all duties of the National
Close links with other agencies and institutions are es-
Police linked to maintaining public order and security.
sential in many cases. Appropriate support is provided
Whereby its members are also integrated in regular shift
in cases of domestic violence as well as the escorting of
services in order to reinforce the front line police officers.
prisoners or the execution of court orders.
Police dogs are also an enormous help on account of
their acute sense of smell, and can be deployed in a
variety of ways. In regular training units, guard dogs and
sniffer dogs are taught by their handlers and prepared
for their deployment in operations.
Permanent readiness as well as a rapid response is essential when it
comes to maintaining law and order in Liechtenstein.
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Meticulous investigations
Crime scene investigation
Liechtenstein is considered one of the safest countries
Forensic experts and IT specialists make important
in Europe. Despite this, crimes do occur. The National
contributions when it comes to investigating criminal
Police conducts investigations in accordance with the
offences. They secure and analyse evidence of all kinds.
Code of Criminal Procedure and helps the judiciary pros-
Their meticulous work is one of the crucial elements that
ecute crimes. An analytical mind and tactical abilities are
contribute towards the solving of criminal offences. Our
important preconditions when it comes to investigating
crime scene specialists are deployed in conjunction with
criminal offences, tracking down fugitives and finding
financial and property offences, fires or unusual deaths,
missing persons.
as well as following serious traffic accidents or work
accidents. Thanks to state-of-the-art procedures and
Complex investigations can keep our officers busy
methods, shoe imprints, fingerprints or biological traces
for months. Every clue is followed up and every trace
(DNA) are secured at crime scenes. Forensic analysis
is pursued. This is the only way to investigate cases.
and investigation in the laboratory as well as computer
Close cooperation between detectives, forensic experts
forensic evaluation of data carriers by IT forensic experts
and IT experts as well as other specialists is essential to
often provide the decisive evidence that enables a
obtain a full understanding of complex criminal cases.
suspect to be convicted or exonerated. Cutting edge
Tailored measures, combined with optimum teamwork,
technical equipment can trace the smallest possible
enable suspects to be caught in conjunction with finan-
clues and can help to understand what actually hap-
cial crimes, property and drug offences as well as any
pend at the crime scene.
other crime.
The National Police works to investigate criminal offences. Not always quite as
fast as television detectives – but at least as meticulously and successfully.
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Drawing attention to dangers
Road traffic and crime prevention are two important
However, we focus not only on road traffic safety. We
areas of work for the National Police. Dedicated road
also work on crime prevention. We raise public aware-
traffic education for the young aims to ensure that chil-
ness of potential risks with regular information and
dren learn the traffic rules. Specially trained road traffic
warnings in media. We inform the population about the
instructors familiarise young children, from kindergarten
sophisticated activities of fraudsters and thieves, explain
age upwards, with road traffic signs and the traffic rules.
the risks associated with surfing the Internet, and raise
Following these courses, participants can put their
awareness amongst the young about the dangers of
knowledge to the test in simulated traffic situations at
drug use. The National Police issues a wide range of
the road training centre operated by the National Police.
special brochures and flyers on specific topics. These
The programme aims to boost road safety and to redu-
are either distributed to interested parties, or can be
ce accidents amongst the youngest and most vulnera-
downloaded from our website.
ble members of the population.
Prevention is successful when attentive and alert citizens
In order to prevent traffic accidents and to improve road
are aware of risks, report criminal offences to the National
safety, we conduct several campaigns each year. The
Police without delay, and thus contribute to keeping
attention of the public is drawn to road traffic risks by
Liechtenstein safe.
means of posters and radio spots. The aim is to encourage drivers to modify their driving behaviour, and thus to
prevent accidents happening in the first place.
Targeted prevention in the fields of road traffic and crime raises public
understanding and awareness of dangers and risks.
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Several special units undergo the very latest training and are provided with
state-of-the-art equipment. This enables them to help realise particularly
challenging policing tasks.
Surveillance, arrests and
identification
The National Police has several special units. These
The Alpine Police is deployed to gather evidence follow-
are deployed for specific purposes. All special units are
ing accidents in Alpine terrain, such as mountain and
organised on the basis of a militia system, and undergo
skiing accidents, avalanches, paraglider and small air-
permanent training.
craft incidents. The Alpine Police responds to accidents
and conducts investigations in inaccessible terrain.
The oldest and at the same time the largest special unit
is the SWAT team. Its principal responsibilities include
If a major accident occurs, or if a crime resulting in nu-
arresting potentially violent persons, protecting the state
merous deaths is committed, then the specialists of the
guests of the Government and Princely Family as well
Disaster Victim Identification team (DVI) are deployed to
as guarding buildings and events.
identify the victims. These specialists need to possess
a high degree of mental resilience and psychological
The Surveillance team works closely together with
strength for their difficult task. As members of the Swiss
the SWAT team. Specially trained police officers are
DVI team, our specialists are also deployed abroad.
responsible for the covert surveillance of suspects. Patience and a sharp eye are essential when it comes to
obtaining useful information about suspects. In today’s
environment, surveillance operations are important in
the fight against crime. This has become an essential
part of the investigative process.
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Police careers
Police officer is an out-of-the-ordinary profession,
Upon passing the final examination at the end of the
multifaceted and exciting. The work differs from that in
training at the Police Academy, the candidates are
the private sector in many ways. Each day is different
awarded a Federal Diploma and are admitted to the
and presents new challenges. A quick learning ability
National Police as sworn in police officers.
and carefully considered responses are required when
officers are sent out on deployments. This makes the
Specialists may also be recruited externally for man-
work of police officers versatile and keeps monotony
agement tasks and special police functions. The police
and routine at bay.
training for these individuals is then completed on an
in-service education, on the one hand internally at the
As a rule, the path to the National Police leads via the
National Police and on the other at police training insti-
Police Academy of Eastern Switzerland, where Liechten-
tutions abroad.
stein police candidates spend one year in training. This
is because the National Police, on account of its small
size, does not maintain its own training facilities. Before
being accepted as a police candidate by the National
Police, the prospective officer must pass a written entrance examination as well as a fitness test. The criteria
that potential candidates need to fulfil in order to be
admitted to the entrance procedures are stipulated in
the Police Act.
Police officer – an exciting and multifaceted profession with new daily
challenges that keep monotony and routine at bay.
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In the beginning the Princely Liechtenstein Security Corps had seven police
officers – today over one hundred National Police officers and other staff
safeguard internal security in Liechtenstein.
How it all began …
Up until the 18th century parish priests and parish
After the First World War, pressure arose once again
councillors were responsible for maintaining peace and
to reform the police force in Liechtenstein. This took
security in our municipalities. At that time, a dedicated
account of the political and social changes in Liechten-
police force did not exist. It was only during the course
stein and abroad.
of the 18th century that two bailiffs were appointed to
maintain peace and security. At the beginning of the 19th
In the year 1932, the Princely Liechtenstein Security
century responsibility for public security was assigned to
Corps was established as a uniformed and armed civil
the municipalities. Each municipality was then required
guard. This body was charged with maintaining peace,
to pay for a part-time “police-soldier” (army veterans).
order and security. Seven police officers joined in April
However, these police-soldiers had an extremely poor
1933, having completed their training at the Gendarme-
reputation, as the municipalities – no doubt for reasons
rie Academy in Austria. They were provided with quar-
of cost – tended to appoint very poor or disabled indi-
ters in the Government Building in Vaduz. From 1937
viduals to these posts. It was not before the mid 19th
onwards they were supported by a steadily growing
century that Liechtenstein acquired five uniformed and
number of auxiliary police officers.
armed – although still untrained – police officers. These
were responsible for guarding the borders, as well as
By the end of the 1950s it was apparent that the
for undertaking security corps duties. A new bailiff legis-
existing structure of the Security Corps had become
lation was introduced in 1871 on account of the unsat-
outdated and needed to be overhauled. For this reason
isfactory security situation – numerous “tricksters and
the then Commissioner initiated a reorganisation. This
vagabonds” were roaming the country. The goal of this
was completed in the year 1964, when the “Service
police reform was to improve the effectiveness of the
Instruction” decree was issued by the Princely Govern-
police force, to reduce begging and to monitor fire pro-
ment. Restructuring the corps into three divisions, the
tection as well as building regulations more effectively. In
Administration Division, the Crime Division and the
order to make the work of the bailiffs less arduous, they
Traffic Division, made it possible for police work to
were permitted to use the public buses while on duty. In
become specialised for the first time.
addition, a “state telephone” was installed.
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An important step in the direction of international
In view of the increasingly international nature of crime,
cooperation and the fight against crime was taken in
the National Police found itself obliged, as a small law
1960 when Liechtenstein joined Interpol (International
enforcement authority, to promote greater cooperation
Criminal Police Organisation). As the Interpol bureau
in the field of police work and to build up international
was built up, international contacts were strengthened
networks. In the year 2001 this intensified new focus
and became increasingly important.
across national borders led to the trilateral Police Cooperation Treaty with Switzerland and Austria – our two
The police force suffered a heavy blow in the year 1986
most important cooperation partners. Only two years
when the then head of the Crime Investigation Division
later the National Police became an associate member
was shot while on duty. As a direct consequence of this
of the Eastern Switzerland Police Concordat (Ostpol).
dramatic event, on the one hand the equipment of the
This was an important step for strategic and operative
Security Corps was modernised, while on the other a
cooperation, resulting in dedicated working groups and
SWAT team was created to respond to violent offenders.
specialist panels. For example, joint situation analyses
are drawn up and equipment and deployment tactics
The new Police Act that came into force at the end of
are coordinated, thus simplifying joint police operations.
the 1980s saw the “Princely Security Corps” renamed
Training was also standardised with the foundation of
the “National Police”. On account of the shortage of
the Police Academy of Eastern Switzerland in the year
space in the government building, a new dedicated
2006. In its capacity as an Ostpol member, the Natio-
police building was constructed. This was designed
nal Police can also participate in jointly-run centres of
especially with the needs of the police service in mind,
excellence – for example, forensic science. This gives it
and became operational in 1991. For the National Police
access to expertise that it would not be able to maintain
this relocation marked the beginning of a new era of
independently. The Polycom radio network operated
technology, as the first computers were introduced only
jointly with Switzerland is another example of this close
shortly thereafter. In 1995 the first women police officers
regional cooperation in the field of security.
took their oaths with the National Police. Two years later
the uniforms were changed. This made the transforma-
However, police cooperation also extends beyond that
tion of the Security Corps into the National Police visually
with our immediate neighbours. In December 2011
apparent. After over 60 years in olive green, the police
Liechtenstein joined the Schengen area. As a conse-
were given a more contemporary and more functional
quence, the National Police established a so called SI-
blue uniform.
RENE office providing access to Europe-wide searches
for persons and property. As a member of Europol, the
In 1999 the National Police was reorganised once
National Police also benefits from the large network of
again and the number of operative divisions was re-
liaison officers at this institution’s headquarters in The
duced to two. Due to the financial market turmoil that
Hague (NL), as well as from the in-depth analysis of a
occurred in the year 2000, an unit was created in the
wide range of crime phenomena. The sole liaison officer
Crime Investigation Division to fight economic crimes
of the National Police is also accredited to Europol.
and organised crime. In this conjunction, for the first
time in the history of the National Police, foreign citizens
were also admitted to the police force.
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Published by National Police of the Principality of Liechtenstein Editorial content Jules S. Hoch, Tina Enz Design Mathias Marxer Est., Triesen
Translations Interlingua Anstalt, Vaduz Photography Martin Walser, Vaduz; Close up AG, Triesen; National Police Archive Lithography Prepair Druckvorstufen AG, Schaan Printed by Governmental Print Service
© National Police of the Principality of Liechtenstein, 2014
National Police
Principality of Liechtenstein
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