The grievances surrounding the Rhineland-Palatinate police force have seen an uptick, with 176 complaints lodged between July 2022 to mid-June this year, surpassing the previous count by seven. Barbara Schleicher-Rothmund, the Commissioner for Citizens' and State Police in Mainz, disclosed these figures on Thursday.
The main driving forces behind these complaints include police behavior on duty, law enforcement actions during inquiries, and citizens' frustration over the lack of police intervention. Complaints from citizens comprised the largest share, accounting for 90 admissible submissions. For instance, a woman lodged a complaint alleging that she and her companions were unjustly accused of an administrative violation during a coronavirus protest, despite demonstrating compliance with regulations and traveling in a different direction. Despite the incident, no misdemeanor proceedings were initiated.
Another grassroots effort led by a pupil aimed to address the deployment of police officers following a suspected school rampage. The officers were accused of employing excessive force, leading to the pupil's distressed reaction. However, a subsequent investigation unveiled no unlawful actions, resulting in the dismissal of the complaint.
Police officers' complaints primarily centered around transfers, aid regulations, and conduct of superiors, with a few instances involving complaints lodged over the phone. The officers had apprehensions about approaching the state police commissioner directly, fearing repercussions from their superiors. Nonetheless, Schleicher-Rothmund assured that these concerns were taken seriously, and the direct contact route was intended to foster trust and should not lead to adverse consequences.
While the role of the Commissioner for the State Police is critical to addressing these concerns, the position is not widely recognized, raising a need for greater familiarity with its functions following its establishment ten years ago.
Throughout 2022/23, the office also dealt with inquiries and petitions from both citizens and police officers. However, some inquiries remained inadmissible due to incomplete or insufficient details.
Established in 1974 as the parliamentary ombudsman, Rhineland-Palatinate was the first German state to introduce such a body. Since 2014, Schleicher-Rothmund has served as the Commissioner for the State Police.
The Commissioner's key responsibilities encompass supervising the department's operations and finances, ensuring officer conduct, developing departmental policies, and collaborating with governmental authorities. In some cases, they may also perform functional duties, holding the department accountable while promoting officer accountability.
The general complaints similarly resonate in other German states. Measures such as implementing police body cameras, enhancing community policing practices, embracing transparency, and fostering better officer-community relationships can significantly improve relations and reduce complaints. Effective oversight is also vital, ensuring accountability through police commissioners who play a fundamental role in addressing these concerns.
