The first Higher SS and Police Leaders were appointed in 1937 from the existing SS-Oberabschnitt Führers (leaders of the main districts).

In January 1942, with the appointment of a Higher SS and Police Leader in Serbia, a police branch was added.

From 1939 to 1945 this person was Karl Hermann Frank the senior SS and Police Leader in the Protectorate.

Persons found suitable for being Germanized are to be turned over to the individual Higher SS and Police Leaders in Germany proper.

He was promoted again in 1939, to the Higher SS and Police Leader for Weimar.

Heydrich acted under orders from Reichsführer-SS Himmler, who supplied security forces on an "as needed" basis to the local SS and Police Leaders.

The RSHA also supplied security forces on an "as needed" basis to local SS and Police Leaders.

On 9 November 1939, Himmler appointed Globocnik SS and Police Leader in the Lublin district of the General Government.

As with the Oberabschnitt commanders, once World War II began many Abschnitt leaders became corresponding SS and Police Leaders for their areas.

A war-time office which was granted considerable power was that of the SS and Police Leader.