Due to the fact, that the voluntary police services are state-run institutions, the equipment, training and tasks differ.
Varying according to the legislation of individual states, auxiliary police forces have been established in modern Germany.
These police forces are intended to maintain or establish public security and order throughout their assigned territories.
While the voluntary police service in Baden-Württemberg was already established in May 1963, Hesse decided to create its own auxiliary force in 2000.
From 2013 to 2016 the service was in liquidation, after the Green-Red coalition state government, which came into office in March 2011, had resolved its medium-term dissolution.
The budget (EUR 2.2 million per year) for the voluntary police service was frozen, the recruitment process was terminated and funds released were reallocated for full-time staff.
The Green-Black government coalition, which came into office in 2016, wants to "create a new basis for the use of police volunteers as part of an overall concept for secure public spaces.
The security watch law came into force on 31 December 1996, after a three-year pilot trial in Nuremberg, Ingolstadt and Deggendorf had proved successful.
The ideals of the security watch are removed from terms such as the auxiliary police and the civil defense, since it was formed to prevent uncontrolled mergers.
The security watch is mainly used in areas where there is a risk of crime but is not so high that police officers must be on the spot all the time.
As a rule, members of the security watch are on foot or by bicycle and can reach the next police station in case of suspicious or dangerous incidents.
The persons are in civilian clothes on the beat and bear on the left breast a security guard passport with photo as well as an additional light green armband with the Bavarian state coat of arms and the retroreflective inscription "Sicherheitswacht" or a dark blue blouson with retroreflektierenderderschrift and the Bavarian state coat of arms.
Meanwhile, the security watch can be used at 118 locations, In Munich, Straubing, Nuremberg, Neumarkt, Bayreuth, Regensburg, Ingolstadt, Deggendorf, Gunzburg, Amberg, Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Schwandorf, Cham and Weiden.
The security partners only receive a deed of the state, a jacket with the inscription Sicherheitspartner and 25, - EUR per month.
Municipalities must conclude a co-ordination agreement with the State of Hesse to set up a voluntary police service.
The equipment varies according to the city, usually it consists of a pepper spray for defense as well as mobile phones for communicating with the police station.
In addition, the applicant must be fit for the health, for the liberal democratic principle, as well as a school leaving certificate or a completed teaching.
A recruitment is possible between 18 and 60 years, the applicant must have a school leaving certificate or a completed vocational training as well as a good leum.