Do you know where Germany’s senior police officers get their training? It happens right here at the Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei in Münster. This unique institution is the only university for police forces from both the federal and state levels.
The Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei grants doctoral degrees. It is a place where future leaders of the German police learn and grow. Let us delve into the story of this special place.
The Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei evolved from the Polizei-Führungsakademie. After World War II, in 1945, the Zentral-Polizeischule für die britische Zone was founded in Münster-Hiltrup. It was located at Haus Spital, a former prisoner-of-war camp. In 1949, it was renamed Polizei-Institut Hiltrup. From 1973 to 2005, it was known as Polizei-Führungsakademie.
The North Rhine-Westphalian Parliament passed the law establishing the Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei on January 27, 2005. The law went into effect on February 15, 2005. The founding phase started on March 1, 2006, and concluded on October 23, 2008. The interior ministries and senates of the states and the federation support the university. This support is based on the 1973 agreement regarding the Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei. In 2013, the German Council of Science and Humanities provided institutional accreditation. On December 15, 2016, the state parliament unanimously voted to include the DHPol in the North Rhine-Westphalian Higher Education Act. Since July 10, 2017, the DHPol has been a full member of the State Rectors’ Conference of Universities in NRW.
The Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei has three departments. These departments oversee 15 subject areas and one specialist unit. Professors lead nine of these subject areas. Police officers lead the other six. These officers are assigned to the DHPol. They come from the state police forces, the federal police, or the Federal Criminal Police Office. Besides the subject areas responsible for teaching in the master’s program, research, and advanced training, the DHPol includes university management, staff units, and university administration.
The Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei offers two master’s programs. One is the “Öffentliche Verwaltung – Polizeimanagement” master’s program. Starting in April 2024, they will offer the “Public Governance and Democratic Resilience” program.
The two-year “Öffentliche Verwaltung – Polizeimanagement” master’s program is interdisciplinary. It prepares students for careers in higher police service. It targets members of the federal and state police forces. These members want to advance to higher police service. Admission requires employment with a federal or state police authority. Applicants need a university degree of at least six semesters or promotion from the higher police service. The federal government and states select students in consultation with the Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei. Direct enrollment in this master’s program at the DHPol is not possible.
The master’s program lasts two years. The first academic year takes place at the universities or academies of the states. It starts with a one-month introductory phase at the DHPol. Federal civil servants attend the university of the federation for public administration. All students spend the second year at the Hochschule der Polizei in Münster. Graduates receive a Master of Arts degree.
The “Public Governance and Democratic Resilience” master’s is a two-year professional development program. This interdisciplinary program is for experts and managers from all authorities and organizations. It is designed for those with security responsibilities and municipal authorities. The master’s program aims to enable graduates to respond to current socio-political developments in their organizations. It also enhances their democratic resilience. The program starts on April 15 each year, beginning in April 2024. Graduates receive a Master of Arts degree.
The Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei has the right to award doctorates. Based on the doctoral regulations, it awards the following academic degrees. Doctor of Law, Doctor of Social Sciences, Doctor of Economic and Social Sciences, and Doctor of Administrative Sciences.
So, as you stand before the Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei, remember that you’re looking at the training ground for Germany’s finest. It is a place where knowledge meets duty, shaping the future of law enforcement.