An increasing disrespect towards police officers in Berlin is registered by the service authority. And according to Police President Barbara Slowik, the number of police officers who were confronted with acts of resistance or were attacked in 2022 rose again.
By mid-December, almost 8,400 police officers on duty were affected, Slowik told the German Press Agency. This is a slight increase of 2.7 percent over the previous year. “Colleagues in the radio truck deployment service are the most frequently exposed to violence.”
In 2021, around 5,200 police officers had to deal with the resistance of suspects who lashed out or tried to break away by force during checks or arrests. Almost 2,400 police officers were victims of attacks, 475 suffered physical injuries and almost 370 were threatened.
“Lack of knowledge and lack of appreciation”
According to Slowik, one reason for the increasing disrespect and violence against police officers could be “civil society’s lack of knowledge of the tasks and powers of the police and a lack of appreciation”. This is also a result of a recently published study on the Berlin police.
“Social recognition and appreciation for the police could – especially in Berlin – be lived more clearly,” said Slowik. “We work hard every day for security and thus for the freedom of the people in our city. To do this, we also have to take measures that are very uncomfortable for those affected.” She emphasized: “At the end of the day, everyone wants the police to be there when they need them.”
Slowik has been observing increasing psychological stress among police officers for a long time, which could lead to illnesses. It is therefore committed to faster recognition of illnesses resulting from mental stress during deployment. The previous service law does not give this, but requires a causal event – i.e. an injury as a result of a specific event. “The current work accident law is no longer up-to-date and needs reform.” She is pleased that the Senator for the Interior supports this. (dpa)
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