Hamburg
The "Night Patrol" is coming to the north with the NDR: From August 2024, the successful SWR documentary series was also filmed in Hamburg. The four episodes that were created provide exclusive insights into the police work of the Hanseatic city. The "Night Patrol" stands for an authentic and unadulterated insight into the demanding and challenging work of the police officers.
From the Davidwache to Bergedorf
In Hamburg, ten officers are accompanied - on their nightly missions on duty at the Davidwache in St. Pauli, with the water police at the port of Hamburg, in the permanent criminal investigation service and with the police at the police stations in Hamm and Bergedorf. The documentary series shows up close the people behind the uniform, who are repeatedly confronted with dangerous and challenging situations in their duties.
01. Shots in the Residential Area
Officers from the Kriminaldauerdienst (KDD) and patrol units are deployed after reports of a man firing shots from his apartment window. While the detectives and specialists manage this dangerous situation, other officers deal with everyday police work including handling crimes in the red‑light district around St. Pauli.
02. Trouble on the Große Freiheit
Police patrols on Hamburg’s famous nightlife street grapple with rowdy crowds, intoxicated individuals, and public disturbances. The episode shows how officers balance maintaining safety with de‑escalation in a busy entertainment district.
03. Manhunt in the Darkness
A violent incident at a petrol station in Bergedorf prompts a search for a suspect at night, highlighting how officers coordinate and respond under low‑visibility conditions. Meanwhile, another unit from the water police is called to investigate a possible contamination incident in the port — adding complexity to the night’s workload.
04. End of the Line: The Cell
During a routine traffic stop, officers in Hamburg‑Hamm discover a driver who is not only intoxicated but also being actively sought by police — leading to heightened tension and an arrest. At the same time, patrol officers from the Davidwache encounter an unexpected situation when a passersby alerts them to something involving a child.
05. Mysterious Flotsam
Wasserschutzpolizei officers find something large and hazardous floating in the Elbe River, posing a risk to shipping traffic that they must quickly secure and resolve. Other units are involved in overseeing the transfer of a deceased person, showing the varied nature of nighttime duties.