the Gestapo the secret police force used by the state in Germany during the Nazi period (geheime staatspolizei ). in full Geheime Staatspolizei (German: "Secret State Police") Political police of Nazi Germany. It was created by Hermann Goring in 1933 from the political and espionage units of the Prussian police and by Heinrich Himmler from the police of the remaining German states. Himmler was given command in 1934. The Gestapo operated without civil restraints, and its actions were not subject to judicial appeal. Thousands of Jews, leftists, intellectuals, trade unionists, political clergy, and homosexuals disappeared into concentration camps after being arrested by the Gestapo. In World War II the Gestapo suppressed partisan activities in the occupied territories, and a section of the Gestapo under Adolf Eichmann organized the deportation of Jews to the extermination camps in Poland
Acronym in German for Geheime Staatspolizei (Secret State Police) The Nazis established the Gestapo in order to monitor and stamp out any political opposition to the Hitler regime Under Heinrich Himmler, the Gestapo's powers became brutal and far-reaching in ferreting out Jews, Marxists, and even moderate critics of the regime