Inadequate Police Infrastructure Warned by GdP
German Police Stations in a State of Decay: The Need for a Special Fund for Internal Security
The condition of service vehicles and police stations in Germany is causing concern, with the Police Union (GdP) raising alarm bells about the state of affairs. The Union has reported issues such as dilapidated buildings, mold, vermin, broken heaters, and holes in the roofs, which they consider partly health-endangering [1].
The state of police service vehicles is equally worrying. Some vehicles have broken gear shifts, torn seats, and have traveled over half a million kilometers. The GdP believes that the increasing privatization of services, such as vehicle maintenance and digitization, is contributing to the poor condition of service vehicles [1].
The Union claims that there is a backlog of investments in the police real estate in Germany, amounting to double-digit billions. This investment backlog is primarily due to decades of underfunding and inadequate maintenance [1].
Hagen Husgen, a member of the GdP federal board, has demanded more support from the federal government for the maintenance of service vehicles. Husgen stated that these conditions are not only embarrassing and shameful but also endanger the health of the police [1].
The need for a special fund for internal security arises from this critical infrastructure deficit combined with the federal-state division of responsibilities (federalism), which complicates coherent and sufficient funding. The union and experts argue that without dedicated, centralized funding, these problems will persist, undermining the effectiveness and morale of police forces tasked with maintaining public order [1].
Such a fund would ensure targeted, large-scale investments to urgently modernize police facilities, equipment, and digitization. The challenge is compounded by federalism and competing budget priorities, making such a dedicated special fund vital for ensuring effective internal security and public safety [1][2].
The Union is not alone in its call for action. Experts note that while the government has created a special defense fund to address military modernization and backlog, these funds alone are insufficient and must be paired with efficient management to cover years of shortfalls sustainably [2]. Similarly, internal security would require a dedicated and well-managed special fund to overcome historical underinvestment and adapt police capabilities to modern requirements.
In summary, the German police stations face dangerous, outdated conditions due to a long-term investment backlog exceeding billions of euros. The special fund for internal security is justified to provide focused, substantial resources to renovate and modernize police infrastructure and capabilities that routine budgets have failed to address. The challenge is compounded by federalism and competing budget priorities, making such a dedicated special fund vital for ensuring effective internal security and public safety.
[1] Police Union (GdP) press release, 2022. [2] Defense and Security Analysis, 2022.
The need for policy-and-legislation regarding a special fund for internal security becomes imperative, given the critical state of German police stations and service vehicles. This special fund, aimed at modernizing police facilities, equipment, and digitization, is crucial for effective internal security and public safety in the face of historical underinvestment and competing budget priorities.
The call for general-news coverage on this matter, emphasizing the urgent need for change in the politics of internal security funding, is warranted, given the crime-and-justice implications of neglected police infrastructure.
