Servicing the Shield: Personal Protection in Berlin
Berlin's security landscape features around 200 brave souls, operating under the titles of bodyguards or personal security agents from the Berlin State Criminal Police Office (LKA). Their primary duty? Guarding political heavyweights like the Governing Mayor and Senator for Interior, as well as diplomatic representatives from foreign lands, plus key figures in the city's Jewish community and other high-risk individuals.
Tracing their roots back to an attempted political assassination on Regional Court President Günter von Drenkmann in 1974, personal protection in Berlin bloomed into a separate department, initially boasting eleven guards. On a recent Friday, the police commemorated the 50th anniversary of this service at the legendary Berlin City Hall, and their protectees were there to celebrate the milestone.
The department faces challenges, namely an increasing number of protectees and sourcing qualified fresh blood. What sets Berlin apart is its exceptional demand, making it the state police force with the most individuals to protect. But there's a twist: the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) under the Federal Police steps in to oversee the safety of federal politicians in Berlin.
However, the BKA, although assisting, isn't directly involved in personal protection in Berlin. Instead, it concentrates on federal-level criminal investigations including terrorism, organized crime, and cybercrime, as well as providing forensic support. The BKA doesn't provide personal security for political figures or diplomatic representatives, which typically falls under the jurisdiction of other agencies like the Federal Police or specialized security services like the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
