Twelve were formed into regiments, three battalions each, and designated as Police Regiments Centre, North, South, and Special Purpose.[2] The goals of the police battalions were to secure the rear by eliminating the remnants of the enemy forces, guarding the prisoners of war, and protecting the lines of communications and captured industrial facilities. Their instructions also included, as Daluege stated, the "combat of criminal elements, above all political elements".[3]