In addition to controlling Germany 's border , the BPOL serves as a federal reserve force to deal with major disturbances and other emergencies beyond the scope of Land police . The BPOL guards airports and foreign embassies , and several highly trained detachments are available for special crisis situations requiring demolition equipment , helicopters , or combat vehicles . After shortcomings in police procedures and training were revealed by the terrorist attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics , a task force known as Border Guard Group 9 ( GSG-9 ) was formed to deal with terrorist incidents , especially hostage situations . The GSG-9 won world attention when it rescued 86 passengers on a Lufthansa airliner hijacked to Mogadishu , Somalia , in 1977
Lufthansa airliner hijacked
Lufthansa Flight 181
Law enforcement in Germany