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office / department
A department or office of an authority, public office, or larger organization where public duties are carried out.
Für die Ausstellung eines neuen Passes müssen Sie zur zuständigen Dienststelle im Bürgeramt gehen.
To have a new passport issued, you need to go to the responsible office at the citizens' registration office.
The word is made up of 'Dienst' (service, in the sense of public service) and 'Stelle' (place). A 'Dienststelle' is therefore literally a place where a public service is provided.
Die zentrale Dienststelle der Verwaltung befindet sich im Rathaus.
The central office of the administration is located in city hall.
'Dienststelle' is a formal term from administrative language (official German). It is used almost exclusively for offices and departments of public offices, authorities, or large organizations such as the police.
Bitte wenden Sie sich mit Ihrem Anliegen an die zuständige Dienststelle.
Please contact the responsible office with your concern.
'Dienststelle' is often combined with the adjective 'zuständig' (responsible) to name the department in charge. A typical action is 'sich an eine Dienststelle wenden' (to contact an office).
Ich weiß nicht, welche Dienststelle für meinen Antrag zuständig ist.
I don't know which office is responsible for my application.
police
'die Polizei' and 'die Dienststelle' can both have to do with a public authority. 'Polizei' mainly refers to the state organization responsible for safety, or colloquially also to the building. 'Dienststelle' is more general: it can be an office or department of an authority, including outside the police. The words can be confused when talking about a police office. In that case, 'Polizeidienststelle' is more precise, while 'die Polizei' can also mean the whole organization.
Am Montag bringt Mehmet die Unterlagen zur zuständigen Dienststelle.
On Monday, Mehmet takes the documents to the responsible office.
Nach dem Unfall rief der Fahrer sofort die Polizei.
After the accident, the driver called the police immediately.