Overburdened? Federal Police Anxious about Personnel Shortages as Border Controls Ramp Up
Border surveillance measures prompt apprehension among federal law enforcement agencies concerning potential system overload.
In a bid to enhance border security, the Federal Police is bracing itself for potential personnel shortages, a media report suggests. An internal document from the Potsdam presidency to the directorates raises doubts about the authority's ability to manage domestic tasks as usual while maintaining an increased officer presence at the border.
The Federal Police expresses concerns that the increased deployment of Mobile Control and Surveillance Units officers at the border could create vacuums in other tasks. According to "Spiegel", a directive from the Potsdam presidency instructs that the majority of MKÜ forces will be diverted to the border.
Politics is in motion as Michael Dobrindt pushes for 12-hour shifts for Federal Police officers. The authorities, in preparation for border controls, seem to be undertaking planned executive measures this week, such as raids with Federal Police forces, while juggling other domestic tasks.
The directive also calls for boosting the number of deployed forces, with the particularly affected Federal Reserve Police being asked to escalate personnel support services to their maximum capacity. It's stressed that this situation is temporary, although the integration of additional deployment forces, including trainees from the Federal Police Academy in Lübeck, is deemed indispensable for maintaining sustainability.
The directive also addresses travelers, as the Federal Police prepares to strengthen border controls in several federal states. Apart from the shift to 12-hour shifts, the directorates are instructed to grant "restrictive leave," with the presidency expecting problems with accommodating additional forces at the border. Solutions like deployment variants, where Federal Police officers return home after their shift and return the next day, are being considered.
Background
Though there are no specific reports on federal police personnel shortages linked directly to the increased border controls, broader law enforcement staffing challenges persist nationwide. Many departments struggle with declining numbers of officers and difficulties in recruiting new ones[3][4].
Measures to address these issues include shorter training programs, recruitment incentives such as signing bonuses and increased starting pay, and military equipment and resources[2]. In the realm of border control, recent military directives have enhanced military authorities in border areas, allowing for temporary detention of trespassers, yet fail to target specific federal police personnel shortages. To address potential shortages from the increased border controls, targeted strategies involving specific recruitment, training enhancements, and reassigning personnel may be necessary.
Takeaways
- Federal Police expect increased border controls to create vacuums in other tasks.
- Directorates are instructed to grant "restrictive leave" and consider deployment variants to accommodate additional forces.
- Law enforcement agencies across the nation face general staffing and recruiting challenges; targeted measures to address these issues may also help alleviate potential federal police personnel shortages.
- The Federal Police's community policy and general-news duties may be affected due to the anticipated personnel shortages resulting from increased border controls.
- To maintain border controls, the majority of Mobile Control and Surveillance Units officers will reportedly be diverted, potentially leaving vacancies in employment policy tasks.
- Politics is involved as Michael Dobrindt proposes 12-hour shifts for Federal Police officers to help manage the shortage, while migration-related tasks require the implementation of these changes.
- Whatsapp groups or similar communication channels may be crucial for coordinating officers during the integration of additional forces, given the temporary nature of the staffing shortages and the need for crime-and-justice operations to continue.
