In recent years, policing has become increasingly important in handling juvenile delinquents and in optimizing the treatment of crime victims. In many cases, police officers function as coordinators in processing property damage cases. In the field of criminal prosecution, however, police work is characterized as being rather ineffective. Of the two main functions of policing in Germany, order maintenance and criminal law enforcement, the order maintenance function is dominant. The author points out that requests for police intervention have risen steadily during the 1980's and 1990's, that the readiness of citizens to settle conflicts informally through negotiation has decreased, and that victims are less prone to help themselves. The daily routine of German police officers is described, and the need to optimize the capabilities and qualifications of police officers is emphasized. 21 references