Gestapo

The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. It was formed in 1933. It was led by Hermann Göring, Reinhard Heydrich,Ernst Kaltenbrunner and Heinrich Himmler. It became part of the Schutzstaffel (SS) in 1939.

Hermann Göring, the Minister-President of Prussia, formed the unit in 1933. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of SS national leader Heinrich Himmler. In 1936, Himmler was appointed Chief of German Police (Chef der Deutschen Polizei) by Hitler.Lumsden, Robin 2002. A collector's guide to the Allgemeine – SS. Ian Allan Publishing. p83. 

The name stands for Geheime Staatspolizei. This means "secret state police". It was under the overall administration of the Schutzstaffel.

The Gestapo were allowed to arrest people that offended the government. The government could use the secret police to accuse and arrest anyone they wanted without being questioned. They were important to the SS in enforcing The Holocaust.

 References 

Category:1933 establishments in Europe
Category:1945 disestablishments in Germany
Category:1930s establishments in Germany
Category:Reichssicherheitshauptamt