Officer examines accusations related to alleged racial biases in police work
In the heart of Europe, Germany is grappling with significant issues concerning its police force, with the police ombudsman playing a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. However, a detailed annual report from the police ombudsman regarding complaints and improvements in the federal police force remains elusive.
Despite the lack of a specific report, some insights can be gleaned from recent developments. Resistance from the Union was evident when the police ombudsman was first proposed, based on unfounded mistrust. Today, the need for the police ombudsman is more apparent than ever, as complaints related to discrimination and racial profiling continue to surface.
Racism and discrimination remain the most common reasons for complaints against police and other public institutions, according to data from Berlin, where complaints related to discrimination have been officially tracked since June 2020. Racism, including against the police, is the top complaint, with 191 complaints made over five years, among other sectors like district offices and schools. This suggests ongoing challenges with racial discrimination within public institutions, particularly the police force, indicating the need for systemic reforms and better handling of such complaints.
Federal police face criticism for racial profiling, contributing to increased public grievances. The commissioner refers to suspicion-independent controls solely based on physical appearance as racial profiling. The majority of submissions to the police ombudsman concerned allegations of discrimination or racial profiling at border crossings, airports, and train stations, often accompanied by charges of racism.
The governance and accountability of policing are under scrutiny with calls for reform, improved training, and community engagement. The police ombudsman serves as a point of contact for both police officers and citizens to report misconduct or potential structural malpractice. Efforts to improve emotional intelligence and cultural competence among recruits aim to address trust and operational challenges.
The police ombudsman has strengthened trust in the police and laid important foundations for reforms, according to Irene Mihalic, the parliamentary managing director of the Green Bundestag faction. However, the current status or key findings of the annual report of the police ombudsman in Germany remain unclear.
Without a specific, detailed annual report, it is not possible to provide a precise status or comprehensive list of improvements mandated or implemented at the federal police level in Germany as of 2025. If such a report exists, it may be necessary to consult official government or police ombudsman websites directly for full details.
Other challenges faced by the federal police include inadequate infrastructure, such as sanitary facilities being only accessible over long distances, and the condition of federal police stations being less than ideal. The high number of overtime hours among federal police officers is partly due to intensified border controls. Recent improvements in infrastructure at border control points have been made, but there is still a lack of protection from rain and sun in some places.
Individual complaints about the behaviour of employees of private security companies at airports and the condition of training facilities have also been reported. The condition of the BKA's training facility in Fürstenwalde, Brandenburg, was described as "pitiful" by the commissioner.
The police ombudsman's role is not limited to the federal police. Uli Grotsch, the federal police commissioner, believes that the police ombudsman should also be responsible for the customs office in the future. Irene Mihalic, the parliamentary managing director of the Green Bundestag faction, shares this view.
The federal Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, is responsible for finding a "European law-compliant solution" regarding the rejection of asylum seekers at land borders. However, the Berlin Administrative Court ruled that the rejection of asylum seekers at Germany's land borders is unlawful. Uli Grotsch, the federal police commissioner, considers the continued rejection of asylum seekers at land borders to be illogical.
In conclusion, the police ombudsman in Germany faces a myriad of challenges, from addressing racial profiling and discrimination to improving infrastructure and training facilities. Despite these challenges, the police ombudsman continues to serve as a beacon of hope, fostering trust in the police and laying the groundwork for much-needed reforms.
- The need for the police ombudsman's annual policy-and-legislation report is increasingly apparent, as complaints related to discrimination and racial profiling persistently surface, particularly in the realm of crime-and-justice.
- The ongoing concerns regarding the police force's accountability and handling of complaints have led to extensive discussions on general-news platforms, with the police ombudsman serving as a key figure in these debates.
