The police department is in the hands the state with an organisational structure that gives responsibility to dozens of regional police authorities, Kreispolizeibehörden. Local police stations, Polizeiwache, are found all across the Ruhr Metropolis. The police have many responsibilities ranging from investigating offences to traffic control and crime prevention.

Available 24/7, callers on the emergency number 110 are asked their name and six other Ws: Who, wer; what, was; where, wo; when, wann; how, wie; why, warum; who is concerned, wer ist beteiligt. They will request you to wait to clarify the incident. English should be spoken.