BKA

The Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) is the federal investigative police agency of Germany. It oversees nationwide criminal investigations, provides support to state police forces in complex or cross‑state cases, coordinates crime information and intelligence at the national level, and facilitates international police cooperation. The BKA operates under the Federal Ministry of the Interior and is headquartered in Wiesbaden.

History and mandate: The BKA was established in 1951 to unite federal criminal policing in postwar Germany. Its remit includes terrorism prevention and response, organized and economic crime, narcotics and firearms trafficking, cybercrime, forgery, and major criminal investigations. It also plays a central role in analyzing crime trends, coordinating investigations that span multiple states, and assisting with crisis management and disaster response.

Organization and functions: The agency is divided into directorates and specialized units focused on criminal investigations, crime intelligence, cybercrime, technical services and forensics, and international cooperation. The director general (president) is appointed by the federal government. The BKA maintains liaison offices with state police forces, foreign police authorities, and European counterparts to facilitate cross-border operations and information sharing.

Relationship to other agencies: The BKA is distinct from the Bundespolizei (Federal Police), which handles border protection, rail and airport policing, and other outward-facing security duties. The BKA’s core role is nationwide investigative leadership, centralized intelligence, and coordination of federal responses to serious crime across Germany, often in collaboration with Europol, Interpol, and other international partners.

Notable activities: The BKA has been involved in counter-terrorism efforts, complex organized crime investigations, cybercrime operations, and high-profile nationwide inquiries, serving as a central hub for Germany’s federal criminal policing framework.