Cantonal Police - Organization

Organization

Currently, the police authority is exercised by the cantons, which are considered sovereign states within the Confederation. The organization of cantonal police forces generally reflects that of the country whose language is the primary language of that canton.

In the French-speaking cantons, the police are divided into two sections:

• the gendarmerie, a uniformed organization which performs the tasks of police patrol and response, and may conduct judicial enquiries. However in certain cantons, the gendarmes have the ability to conduct local or judicial enquiries.
• the sûreté ('security' or 'safety'), civil investigators who work in the Criminal Investigation Department (average and serious crime)

In German-speaking cantons, the police are divided into three sections:

• the Kriminalpolizei (criminal police), who investigate crime and conduct criminal investigations (similar to the sûreté).
• the Schutzpolizei ('security' or 'protection' police), who respond to emergency calls and conduct patrols (similar to the gendarmerie).
• the Autobahnpolizei (highway patrol) who enforce traffic laws and investigate road traffic accidents.

In Italian-speaking cantons, the police are divided into geographical areas.