General Discussion

In any case, state-sanctioned armed thugs.

As always thanks for your "boots-on-the-ground" perspectives!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stasi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Dzerzhinsky_Guards_Regiment

The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment (German: Wachregiment "Feliks E. Dzierzynski" ) was the paramilitary wing of the Ministry for State Security (Stasi),[1] the security service of the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

The Felix Dzerzhinsky Guards Regiment was called a regiment, however the elite formation gradually grew to the size of a motorized infantry division with its constituent Kommandos made up of battalions. Its role in the Stasi was the protection of buildings and high-ranking officials of the GDR government and the Socialist Unity Party of Germany and was also a highly trained Motorized Infantry and public security force.[2][3]

It was composed of experienced and ideologically reliable men separate from the National People's Army that could be deployed to suppress rebellion and unrest.[4][5]