The German police system consists of 16 state police forces and several federal institutions. The police system in Germany is relatively unified, in contrast to certain other European countries, and the doctrine of a unified police force enables a homogeneous police leadership to counter competing interests of individual parts of the organization. Mechanisms by which the German police system is integrated include legal standardization, institutional negotiation, and information networking. Police reforms have been implemented in response to increasing crime levels and in response to the need to settle violent conflicts, intervene in crises, and maintain public order. The German police system is characterized by trends toward rationalization, specialization, and professionalization, and the social ecology of police reforms is examined. 26 references and 8 notes