Gestapo

The Gestapo was Nazi Germany's official secret police force. The term "gestapo" is an abbreviation for its formal name, Geheime Staatspolizei. Formed in 1934, the Gestapo was lead by Schutzstaffel officer Heinrich Himmler. They were deployed to investigate and combat enemies of the state. It had complete authority over investigations in treason, espionage, and sabotage. During the second World War, the Gestapo included 46,000 members. As the persecution of Jews progressed throughout Germany-held Europe, the police force was also assigned to keep imprisoned Jewish people in check. They were also given orders to detain, and execute, Jews. Many of the Gestapo members include former police officers, SS regulars, and other government agents. Each member had to have received police training prior to enlisting into the Gestapo.