Polizeipräsidium

Were you aware that the Polizeipräsidium Düsseldorf has witnessed nearly a century of history? This imposing building before us, the Polizeipräsidium, stands as a silent observer to the ebb and flow of Düsseldorf’s story. It has been a police headquarters since 1934, though its roots trace back to 1926. Initially a municipally managed force, the Polizeipräsidium transitioned to state control under Prussian Interior Minister Carl Severing. The original headquarters resided in the Stadthaus on Mühlenstraße, but the need for a dedicated space led to the construction of this very building. The cornerstone was laid in 1929, with architects Alexander Schäfer and A. Hein bringing their vision to life. The Polizeipräsidium Düsseldorf building, a blend of modern and neoclassical styles, stands on the edge of the government district. The building’s design, with its neoclassical and modern elements, reflects the architectural trends of the Nationalsozialismus era. Interestingly, the land it occupies once housed the former Husarenkaserne, bordered by Jürgensplatz, Hubertusstraße, Neusser Straße, and Fürstenwall. The southern half became the Polizeipräsidium, while the northern half was allocated to the Landesfinanzamt, though its construction was postponed. The Polizeipräsidium fully moved into its new home in the winter of 1933/34. The Polizeipräsidium Düsseldorf oversees the city of Düsseldorf and all autobahns within the Regierungsbezirk Düsseldorf. The Polizeipräsidium wasn’t always under state control. Before 1926 and during the post-war period, it operated under municipal authority. Today, it answers to the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of the Interior. A permanent exhibition, “Transparency and Shadow,” curated by the Verein “Geschichte am Jürgensplatz e. V.,” delves into this history within a dedicated memorial room beneath the foyer. This building holds more than just offices; it holds memories. It has seen the city through peace and turmoil, standing as a symbol of order and security amidst change. The Polizeipräsidium Düsseldorf is more than just a building; it is a living testament to the city’s complex past and its ongoing commitment to safety and order.