oho #3 - The magazine of the Principality of Liechtenstein

State/Princely House
Cross-border
police operations
Why Liechtenstein’s National Police relies on close cooperation
with neighbouring countries. Text: Silke Knöbl
Networking is important – even for Liechtenstein’s
National police. It places great emphasis on the
exchange of information and cooperation with
foreign police authorities. The National Police
maintains particularly close links with its
counterparts in Switzerland and Austria.
Valuable synergies
This cross-border cooperation is governed by a
police cooperation agreement. “We always weigh
up whether it would be better to build up our own
capacities, or to cooperate with neighbouring
states,” says Jules Hoch, Head of Liechtenstein’s
National Police. A good example is criminal
forensics: in the event of thefts or burglaries, the
National Police collects evidence at the scene of the
crime. It then draws upon the expertise of the
Swiss Police to evaluate the evidence that has been
gathered. “It wouldn’t make sense for us to set up
our own specialist laboratories,” says Hoch.
In return, the National Police takes part in foreign
deployments. “We are members of the Eastern
Switzerland Police Concordat,” explains Hoch. This
organisation brings together the police corps
of the cantons in eastern Switzerland,
enabling them to support each other in
their police work. “For this reason, we
provide police resources inter alia for
the annual World Economic Forum in
Davos,” says Hoch. As a member of
Schengen, Europol and Interpol, the
National Police also helps to solve
international cases.
High security and quality of life
Criminality in the Principality of
Liechtenstein is low, compared to other
countries. For this reason, the small state is also
one of the safest countries in the world. “The rural
structure plays an important role,” explains Hoch.
“We do not have any urban conurbations, and the
population keeps a close eye on what goes on,” he
adds. This all has a positive impact on national
security, as well as on the quality of life.
From pastors to police officers
Up until the 18 th century, pastors and local councillors were responsible for maintaining law and
order in the eleven Liechtenstein municipalities. At the time, a police force did not exist. It was
only in the 19 th century that country officials and later part-time police-soldiers were given the
remit to maintain law, order and security. The Princely Liechtenstein Security Corps was founded
in 1932. A total of seven police officers performed their duties in the Government Building. Today
the National Police has around 160 employees, including tactical units. As the only police
authority in Liechtenstein, it performs numerous tasks and also maintains a number of
commissariats. In addition, it is also responsible for running Liechtenstein’s only prison. As the
Principality has neither an intelligence service nor an army, the National Police has exclusive
responsibility for safeguarding domestic security. www.landespolizei.li
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