Symcha Spira – war criminal, sadistic psychopath chief of 200 strong Kraków ghetto Jewish Police – Ordnungdienst (OD). OD were extremely unpopular under Spira’s leadership. In part because of Spira’s psychopathic qualities, the Kraków OD collaborated with German officials and police to a greater degree than other ghettos. The Civil Division of the OD in particular worked closely with Gestapo. 

Spira spoke German and Polish poorly. Before the war, he worked as a glazier, making very little money. He was chosen for the position for his extreme loyalty to the Germans, as well as for his derision of his fellow Jews. Spira was known to wear outlandish, tailored uniforms while patrolling the ghetto. He beat and extorted the ghetto’s inhabitants, becoming very wealthy under German occupation. 

Symcha Spira sought to convince Gestapo agents of his superior power and influence over fellow Jews. This included carrying out orders the Judenrat would not. He and other OD men passed bribes to the Gestapo, winning favors and privileges in return.During ghetto liquidation OD were initially exempted from deportation. After the liquidation of the ghetto , the Jewish Police assisted in cleanup and the processing of items left behind by those deported. 

They also assisted in moving bodies of those murdered in the ghetto. Many, including Spira, believed Germans promises that they would be given their freedom and would be allowed to travel to America or another country after the war. Not long after the liquidation of the ghetto, the OD and all remaining Jews were deported to KL Plaszow and murdered by Germans.