<P> The Cantonal police (French: Police cantonale, German: Kantonspolizei, Romansh: Polizia Chantunala, Italian: Polizia cantonale) are the law enforcement agencies for each of the 26 Swiss Cantons . Law enforcement in Switzerland is mainly a responsibility of the 26 cantons of Switzerland, which each operate cantonal police agencies . Some cities also operate municipal police agencies as provided for by cantonal law . The federal government provides specialised services and is responsible for the protection of the Swiss border . </P> <P> The 26 cantonal police agencies and numerous municipal police agencies are the backbone of Swiss law enforcement . They are not subordinate to federal authorities . Their commanding officers report to the head of the respective cantonal or municipal department of police, who is a member of the cantonal or municipal governing council . </P> <P> Police training is conducted in cantonal service academies and at the Interkantonale Polizeischule Hitzkirch, a joint police academy of twelve police agencies established in 2007 . Throughout Switzerland, the police may be reached by the emergency telephone number 1 - 1 - 7 . </P>

Who is considered the backbone of police services