Equipment, training, appreciation – Ex-police officer: What finally needs to change politically so that the police can protect us in the future

Is the police in Germany well equipped enough to take effective action against violent criminals and terrorists?

The security situation in Germany is threatened by various crises and the increase in brutal acts of violence. In order to respond effectively to these changes, the police need improvements in many areas. One of these is digitalization, which constantly requires new knowledge, especially in the field of artificial intelligence. Police-specific IT must be developed innovatively and consistently in order to fully exploit the potential of digital intelligent assistants in police work. Internet platforms reach certain peer groups and contribute to excesses of violence, without the police being able to find a solution on their own.

While an excess of security could restrict civil liberties, the police must still be able to deal with new crime trends with appropriate equipment and well-trained personnel. Another problem is the increasing alienation of parts of society from the police and the associated increase in the propensity to use violence. This requires a debate about how to deal with these phenomena at an early stage.

In order to deal with people in psychologically exceptional situations, good equipment is necessary for all police officers, including light body armor and body cameras. Cooperation with other institutions and authorities is also urgently needed and could require a rethinking of data protection.

It is important that police officers are trained to be able to have a positive influence on people from different cultures, especially in stressful situations. De-escalation and repressive intervention must be practiced regularly in situational training. Cooperation with other professional fields could also help to improve the security situation. This is clearly described in our book “Heart Violence”.

Jens Mollenhauer is a civil courage trainer with over 30 years of experience in violence prevention and author of the book “Heart Violence”. The retired police officer worked in the police force for almost four decades, most recently heading the youth protection unit of the Hamburg police. He volunteers as a spokesperson for the Federal Network for Civil Courage. Mollenhauer is committed to ensuring that civil courage is practiced in everyday life in order to combat violence, exclusion and xenophobia. His work and his book show the human fates behind the violence and emphasize social responsibility.

How good is the police training in dealing with violent criminals and terrorists?

Police training is a crucial factor in being able to respond effectively to violent criminals and terrorists. This is not just about physical confrontation, but also about prevention and the timely recognition of problem areas in our society.

Collaboration with other professional fields is essential in order to develop a broad understanding of the various aspects of violence. Violence in schools and public spaces must be taken seriously and preventive work in families should be promoted. The police should be present as friends and helpers in both the analogue and digital worlds in order to convey security to citizens.

The increasing cybercrime poses a particular challenge. The police must be well trained and equipped to counter this dynamic. A stronger presence in the digital world would be desirable, for example through an online police station that is available at all times. Teaching media skills should also be compulsory at police academies. When it comes to dangers such as cybergrooming, there are still opportunities to become more active online.

Hate, bullying and sexual assault, including online, must be combated by the police. The problems in schools and with integration must be clearly identified. One example of this is the work of a youth protection officer from the Hamburg police who was out and about in socially disadvantaged areas. Here too, it is clear that education and support are incredibly important. By speaking directly with families, and also with language and cultural mediators, the police can be successful in preventative measures. It is therefore clear that police training must be varied and cover various areas – from physical violence to cybercrime.

Is the work of the police sufficiently appreciated and supported by politicians?

The appreciation and support of police work by politicians is a decisive factor in ensuring security in our society. In times of social change, in which fears and misunderstandings are increasing and the willingness to use violence is increasing, an investment in security is essential.

Global crises affect both our external and internal security and therefore require an adapted response from the security authorities. New technologies such as artificial intelligence must be integrated into modern police work in order to respond effectively to these challenges. Cutting costs in the area of ​​security are unthinkable in today's world, as they can lead to significant losses in quality due to processing deficiencies.

The increasing specialization and complexity of police work processes require well-trained personnel, which can only be guaranteed with sufficient financial support. Crises have the potential to fuel violence in parts of our society. Strong support for the police is therefore necessary in order to stabilize and promote social cohesion.

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What measures could be taken to improve police equipment, training and pay?

To improve the equipment, training and pay of the police, several measures should be considered. First, it is important to strengthen the role of independent and civil society organizations in crime prevention work. Their cooperation with state actors should be intensified in order to maximize their effectiveness and reach. These organizations play an essential role in prevention work across society and their support is essential.

Furthermore, in our globalised world, international cooperation is also crucial in the area of ​​crime prevention. Intensifying this cooperation with the aim of tackling cross-border crime more effectively and exchanging effective prevention strategies should be a priority.

Another important aspect is the appreciation of preventive work. This includes cooperation with other professional fields in our society and the integration of new technologies. Through these measures, a well-trained police force can be better prepared for the security challenges of the future. It is therefore necessary to invest in these areas in order to improve the quality of police work overall.

Frequently asked questions about this topic

What does German law say about safety in public places such as train stations?

According to the Federal Constitutional Court, every citizen has a right to security and the state has a duty to protect this right. The priority of prevention over repression, for example through police presence, is laid down. In practice, this constitutional requirement often does not seem to be met, especially at train stations. For women, the elderly and vulnerable people in particular, train stations can…

Victor Winkler

Lawyer, professor of commercial law and most recently spoke before the Finance Committee of the German Bundestag

To what extent can individuals demand more police presence or security measures at train stations?

From a legal perspective, the police are responsible for how they implement their constitutional duty to protect. However, there are two important restrictions: Firstly, there is a prohibition on excessive measures, which means that completely unsuitable measures are unlawful. Secondly, in specific dangerous situations, there could be a “reduction in discretion” that only allows for a…

Victor Winkler

Lawyer, professor of commercial law and most recently spoke before the Finance Committee of the German Bundestag

What rights do victims of crime or harassment at train stations have?

Firstly, you obviously have rights against the attacker himself. These are called civil claims. They are primarily for damages. Secondly, you have a claim against the public prosecutor's office to investigate a case. By the way, it is usually very difficult or even impossible to force this, but the possibility exists. Thirdly, however, there are…

Victor Winkler

Lawyer, professor of commercial law and most recently spoke before the Finance Committee of the German Bundestag

What can citizens do if they regularly feel unsafe at a train station?

This is where parliaments are called upon, i.e. the state parliaments and the city and district parliaments. Citizens should submit petitions here, point out the problems, point out the possible violation of the legal obligation that I have described, get parliament to take action against the state and city governments and thus indirectly put pressure on the executive. This is regularly more successful than…

Victor Winkler

Lawyer, professor of commercial law and most recently spoke before the Finance Committee of the German Bundestag