Body Armor for Bailiffs - Order in Short Supply - Berlin bailiffs to receive stab-proof vests after surge in violent attacks
Bailiffs in Berlin will soon receive stab- and bulletproof vests to shield them from rising violence. The move follows a sharp increase in physical and verbal assaults, including the fatal attack on a 58-year-old bailiff in Saarland last year. Authorities are now taking steps to improve safety for these frontline legal workers.
The job of a bailiff often involves enforcing court orders—collecting debts, serving legal papers, or carrying out evictions. These duties frequently bring them face-to-face with distressed individuals, sometimes leading to violent confrontations. In one tragic case, a bailiff was killed in Bexbach, Saarland, while performing his duties.
Berlin employs around 250 bailiffs, many of whom have reported growing risks. A total of 222 officers have requested protective gear, prompting the justice administration to act. The contract for the new vests, costing between €200,000 and €233,000, is set to be awarded in December 2023.
Fittings for staff will start as early as December, with delivery expected by the first half of 2026. Some bailiffs have already been involved in selecting the equipment to ensure it meets their needs.
The introduction of protective vests aims to reduce the risks bailiffs face daily. With deliveries planned for 2026, the measure will provide long-term protection for those enforcing court decisions. The supreme court hopes this will help safeguard workers in an increasingly hazardous role.
