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Law enforcement agency From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The National Police of the Principality of Liechtenstein (German: Landespolizei des Fürstentums Liechtenstein),[lower-alpha 1] is the national police force of Liechtenstein. It is composed of 125 employees, with 91 officers and 34 staff (excluding the Security Corps),[1] who police the 160 km2 (62 sq mi) doubly landlocked alpine state in Western-Central Europe.[3] The current chief of police is Jules Hoch, since 2013.[4]
| National Police Landespolizei des Fürstentums Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|
| |
| Common name | Landespolizei |
| Abbreviation | LNPS |
| Motto | Für Gott, Fürst, und Vaterland For God, Prince, and Fatherland |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 1933 |
| Employees | 125 (2011)[1] |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency | Liechtenstein |
| Operations jurisdiction | Liechtenstein |
 | |
| Administrative divisions of Liechtenstein | |
| Size | 160 km2 |
| Population | 36,000 |
| Governing body | Office of Civil Protection |
| Constituting instrument | |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Vaduz |
| Sworn members | 125 |
| Unsworn members | 38 (Security Corps) |
| Elected officer responsible | |
| Agency executive |
|
| Divisions |
|
| Facilities | |
| Headquarters | Vaduz |
| Vehicles | 45 |
| Speedboats | 2 |
| Helicopters | 1[2] |
| Website | |
| www | |
Bordered by Switzerland to its west, and Austria to its east,[5] Liechtenstein maintains a trilateral treaty which enables close cross-border co-operation between the police services of the three states. Liechtenstein is also a member of Interpol, and a signatory to a variety of other treaties.[6][7]
Liechtenstein has a significantly low crime rate[8] Crime has always been low since the mid-1970s when Liechtenstein started to prosper as a nation.[9] According to an International Special Reports study, the average Liechtenstein resident doesn't even lock their door.[10] Liechtenstein jails hold very few, if any, inmates, with sentences over two years being transferred to Austria.[7][10] However, officers in the National Police have been armed since a shooting took place.[when?][10] In 2003, Liechtenstein drafted 300 Swiss and Austrian police to assist security forces in the potential aftermath of a Liechtenstein victory over England, in a Euro Cup qualifying match, at Rheinpark Stadion.[11]
The National Police are divided into three divisions, and two independently operated subdivisions:[12][13]
Law enforcement in Liechtenstein is handled solely by the National Police,[18] although a paramilitary force is maintained inside the police body.[15][16] Liechtenstein follows a policy of neutrality, and is one of few countries in the world that maintains no active military.[19] Liechtenstein's Army was abolished in 1868, soon after the Austro-Prussian War in which Liechtenstein fielded an army of 80 men, although they were not involved in any fighting.[9][18] However, Liechtenstein can reinstate its military if deemed necessary, although this is very unlikely.[20]
Switzerland has a relatively active military due to conscription. Some incursions into Liechtehstein's sovereign territory have occurred during routine training:
Since 1933, the National Police have signed seven strategic treaties.[25]
The national emergency telephone number is 112, for police it is 117, for the Fire Brigade it is 118, for the Ambulance Service it is 144, and for the Rega it is 1414.[26] The Fire Brigade also operates a 30-man volunteer Mountain Rescue Service.[27] Officer uniforms are similar to that of the Swiss cantonal police, both in color, and design.[28]
The Swiss border between Switzerland and Liechtenstein is open, but Swiss customs officers used to secure Liechtenstein's border with Austria.[29][30][31] Before December 2011, there were 21 Swiss, four Liechtenstein National Police and 28 Austria border guards, who secured the 11.6 km long Liechtenstein-Austria border, however, only 20 percent is passable.[32] Even though the National Police maintain a border unit, the Swiss border police are responsible for border protection of both countries according to a customs union adopted in 1924.
In February 2007, there were hundreds of people trying to seek asylum in Liechtenstein, mainly from countries such as Somalia and Eritrea. Due to the number of people attempting to cross the border, border guards were stationed on both the Liechtenstein-Swiss border and the Liechtenstein-Austria border, with the main objective of maintaining law and order for all Liechtensteiners.[33] This security measure lasted for about 90 days, with well over 800 people seeking asylum in Liechtenstein.[34][33]
In December 2011, Liechtenstein became the fourth non-European Union country to join the Schengen Area after Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.[35] Under the agreement, Liechtenstein maintains an open border with both Switzerland and Austria, and resulted in the closure of several Liechtenstein-Austria border stations.[36] In addition, Balzers Heliport restricts all helicopters coming from non-Schengen countries, which in theory, limits security concerns.[37] However, Liechtenstein has strengthened its customs control by way of a high-tech video surveillance system (over 60 cameras costing $2.3 million) as well as regular mobile border patrol units.[33][36]
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