"The German Police"
[Extracts from handbook "Die Deutsche Polizei" 1943]
B. Use of weapons on command
1. Every policeman is compelled to make use of his weapon if a superior officer, in compliance with his duty, orders him to do so.
2. In such a case, the superior officer alone bears the responsibility.
Use of weapons on the part of the police in the case of fugitive PWs
3. Fugitive Russian prisoners of war shall be fired upon without previous challenge.
4. Under no circumstances will warning shots be fired.
To a: According to paragraph 1 of the law mentioned * * * the following become as of 1 April 1937 immediate Reichs officials [unmittelbare Reichsbeamte]:
1. Officials occupying TO positions [Planstellen] in the agency "Reichsfuehrer SS and Chief of German Police in the Reichs Ministry of the Interior".
2. The officials of the Security Police [Secret State Police—Gestapo], and Criminal Police, however not the Police administrative officials working with the state police administrations for the criminal police.