NCJ Number
66282
Journal
POLIZEI Volume: 68 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1977) Pages: 179-183
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
TYPES OF VULNERABLE TARGETS, SABOTAGE AS A TERRORIST WEAPON, POLICE PROTECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE TACTICS OF PROTECTING VULNERABLE TARGETS ARE DISCUSSED IN THE CONTEXT OF WEST GERMANY.
Abstract
ESTABLISHMENTS ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTIONING OF SOCIETY SUCH AS UTILITIES, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, VITAL INDUSTRIAL PLANTS, DANGEROUS ESTABLISHMENTS (E.G., CHEMICAL PLANTS, REFINERIES), PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND HEALTH INSTITUTIONS CONSTITUTE FAVORITE TARGETS OF OFFENDERS HOSTILE TO A SOCIETY'S ORDER. THOUGH THE PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE TARGETS USED TO BE AN ISSUE ONLY IN TIMES OF WAR, RECENT TERRORIST ACTIVITY NECESSITATES POLICE READINESS AT ALL TIMES. TERRORISTS CONSIDER ACTS OF SABOTAGE AS A PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE WEAPON SINCE THEY FULFILL THE MAIN GOAL OF SPREADING INSTABILITY, INSECURITY, AND ANXIETY AMONG THE POPULATION. PROCEDURAL RULES IN WEST GERMANY UNDERSCORE POLICE RESPONSIBILITY IN TIMES OF (1) CRISIS, (2) NATIONAL EMERGENCY, AND (3) WAR; HOWEVER, FROM A TACTICAL POINT OF VIEW, THE CASE OF CRISIS IS MOST IMPORTANT SINCE IN THE OTHER TWO CASES THE ARMED FORCES INCREASINGLY TAKE OVER PROTECTION. POLICE PREPARATION FOR AN UNEXPECTED CRISIS INCLUDES CLASSIFYING ALL VULNERABLE TARGETS ACCORDING TO DEGREE OF VULNERABILITY, LOCATION, AND STRUCTURAL FEATURES; POLICE CHIEF FAMILIARITY WITH STRATEGICAL POINTS OF DANGER IN HIS AREA; SUFFICIENT COMMUNICATION INSTALLATIONS; SUFFICIENT LIGHTING; AN ESTIMATE OF THE FORCES REQUIRED TO GUARD THE BUILDING IN AN EMERGENCY; AND CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH THE CREW OF THE BUILDING. WHILE THE INTERIOR PROTECTION IS USUALLY ACCOMPLISHED BY THE BUILDING'S PERSONNEL, POLICE SHOULD DISPATCH ARMED PATROLS AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS TO INSURE THE OUTSIDE PROTECTION OF THE TARGET. --IN GERMAN. (SAJ)