The uniformed Police forces of the Third Reich 1933-1945

German did not have a national police force until 1920 when it was formed by the Weimar regime. The national Socialists were instrumental in its development. The dutes performed by the Ordnungspolizei were the same as those performed in any other country in peace time. However it did supervise the professional and voluntary fire services and provived advice to private factory units. During the war the uniformed police undertook an important new task when it was used to assist the security police