Kasernierte Volkspolizei

They ceased to exist after 1956, having been transformed into the NVA, but are often confused with the later paramilitary police units, the Volkspolizei-Bereitschaft.

In November 1948, the German Interior Administration (Deutschen Verwaltung des Innern, DVdI) took responsibility over the force (and the border troops) and included them in section named Hauptabteilung Grenzpolizei und Bereitschaften (HA GP/B).

The ruling Socialist Unity Party of Germany and Soviet officers exercised strict ideological control over the force.

[4] On 1 March 1956, the KVP units were transformed into the newly established army of East Germany, the NVA,[5] and transferred to the Ministry of National Defence.

These were again armed as motorised infantry, with anti-tank weapons and so on, but were primarily employed on internal security and public order duties.