What is a task of the police?
Was ist eine Aufgabe der Polizei?
Correct answer: B
- A It helps with tax returns.Sie hilft bei der Steuererklärung.
- B It prosecutes violations of the law.Sie verfolgt Rechtsverletzungen.
- C It issues new laws.Sie erlässt neue Gesetze.
- D It delivers court judgments.Sie fällt Gerichtsurteile.
Why
The police ensure security. When someone breaks a law, they investigate and look for the offenders.
Common mistakes
- D: It delivers court judgments.
- Judgments are delivered by the courts. The police only investigate.
- C: It issues new laws.
- Laws are issued by Parliament, not by the police.
Topic
Judges work at courts. Their task is to deliver judgments. They decide whether someone has broken a law and what punishment they receive. They also decide disputes between people or with authorities. They do not defend the accused; a lawyer does that. Nor do they write laws; Parliament does that.
The three powers control each other.
Legislature
Legislative
makes the laws
Confederation
Federal Assembly
Bundesversammlung
National Council 200 + Council of States 46
Canton of Zurich
Cantonal Council
Kantonsrat
180 members
Executive
Exekutive
carries out the laws
Confederation
Federal Council
Bundesrat
7 members
Canton of Zurich
Cantonal Government
Regierungsrat
7 members
Judiciary
Judikative
judges according to the law
Confederation
Federal Supreme Court
Bundesgericht
Lausanne
Canton of Zurich
Courts
Fourth power the media, which observe politics and the authorities critically.
How the state works
Separation of powers
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 73 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.