Auxiliary Police - Hungary

Hungary

The Hungarian term for auxiliary is called "Polgárőrség" which can be translated as "Civil Guard". The formal English name of this organisation is "Nationwide Civil Self-Defense Organizations" and the short Hungarian name is OPSZ. This entirely civilian organization includes uniformed and unarmed operatives who take part in police work in various fields such as:

• neighbourhood watch
• regular patrol with marked cars
• performing citizen's arrests by keeping criminals on the scene of the crime until the arrival of formal police, but only in the case of in flagrante delicto.
• assisting police officers on duty
• youth crime prevention units
• automatic number plate recognition unit called Matrix Police.

The Hungarian Auxiliary Police was established in 1989 and brought under the provisions of Act 52 of the Hungarian Parliament in 2006. It is composed of civic-minded residents of the community who work together to improve the level of safety and security in their community. The presence of the Auxiliary Police, in uniform, on patrol in marked police units has been proven to reduce vandalism and other crimes in the community. The force is currently made up of 80,000 volunteer members.

In the capital city of Hungary there is a "Civil Self-Defense Organizations of Budapest (and suburbia)"; the short Hungarian name is BPSZ. Members are assigned to 62 local community units and patrol in marked vehicles helping to make their community a safer place to live. They help prevent criminal activity by being the "eyes and ears" of the Police Department. The BPSZ is a member of the OPSZ.

Hungarian Auxiliary Police members do not possess more authority or rights than any other citizen. However effective 1 September 2009, act 84 of the year 2009 allows members to carry police issue pepper spray, as well as to direct traffic at traffic collision sites and pedestrian crossings in front of kindergartens and primary schools.