Protection - Berlin police get more equipment and powers
The Berlin police are to be given more equipment and more powers. On Thursday evening, the House of Representatives passed a corresponding reform of the Law on Security and Order (ASOG).
One change concerns the maximum duration of so-called preventive custody, i.e. the precautionary detention of people who are expected to commit serious crimes: It is currently two days; in future, this preventive detention is to be possible for up to five days by order of a judge. In the case of suspected terrorists, up to seven days can be ordered.
Regulations on so-called bodycams on uniforms and cameras in police cars (dashcams) will also be changed. Police officers and firefighters are to use these devices to film more of what happens during operations. It should also be possible to film in homes when it comes to averting danger to the people involved.
Third innovation: electric shock pistols (Taser), which have so far only been tested by a few police officers, will be able to be used by the police on a larger scale. In addition, police officers will no longer have to pay parking fees for their private vehicles when they are on duty at night.
The number of assaults on police and firefighters has been increasing for years, said the CDU parliamentary group's spokesperson for internal affairs, Burkard Dregger, in the House of Representatives. "It is therefore important to strengthen the police and provide them with the tools they need to protect themselves and enforce the law." The changes are a clear message to criminals: "We will no longer tolerate our constitutional institutions being ridiculed and mocked and police officers being attacked."
The SPD, the CDU 's coalition partner, and the AfD also supported the change to the law. The Greens and the Left rejected it, partly because they feared a restriction of civil rights.
Recommended resolution of the Committee on Internal Affairs on the amendment to the Police Act Motion to amend the Police Act
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- The change in the Law on Security and Order (ASOG) granted by the House of Representatives in Berlin will authorize judges to extend preventive detention for police officers dealing with suspected terrorists up to seven days.
- In addition to the changes in bodycam regulations for police and firefighters, electric shock pistols (Tasers) will be more widely used by the operational force in Germany.
- The Berlin police and fire department will be able to operate with less financial burden, as police officers will no longer be required to pay parking fees for their private vehicles during night shifts.
- The SPD, the CDU's coalition partner, and the AfD backed this amendment to the law, noting the increasing number of assaults on police and firefighters.
- In the midst of the internal security debate in Germany, the Left and Greens have criticized the proposed changes, arguing that it may infringe upon civil rights.
Source: www.stern.de
