Police - Buschmann: For the use of Tasers in all federal states
Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann has spoken out in favor of the use of distance electro-pulse devices ("Tasers") in all federal states in view of violence against police officers such as during New Year's Eve riots. The FDP politician wrote to Berlin's Senator for Justice Felor Badenberg (non-party), who is currently chairwoman of the Conference of Justice Ministers of the federal states, stating that the criminal protection of emergency services could already be adequately guaranteed today. "It is necessary to apply these instruments consistently. Difficulties in identifying perpetrators cannot be solved by tightening criminal regulations," said Buschmann in the letter, which was first reported on Saturday by the "Tagesspiegel". It was also made available to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
Buschmann referred to the result of a review that the justice ministers of the federal states had requested following the riots on New Year's Eve/New Year's Day 2023. As a result, he sees no need to tighten the law. "However, the best possible equipment for police officers undoubtedly contributes to the effective protection of emergency services," said Buschmann. Data surveys indicate that Tasers "have a preventative effect, which is why I would like to encourage the examination of a nationwide use in those federal states where this is not yet the case".
Rhineland-Palatinate was the first federal state to introduce Tasers at the end of 2018. The ranged electro-pulse device is intended to enable police officers to keep an attacker at a distance - without the risk of fatal injury as with a firearm. The police officer shoots arrows connected to a wire from a distance of two to five meters. This is painful for the victim. The dart penetrates one centimeter deep into the skin and emits an electrical impulse. The current affects the nerves and muscles, causing incapacitation for a few seconds.
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- Despite the controversial use of Tasers during the New Year's Eve riots, Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann advocates for their implementation in all federal states to safeguard police officers.
- In response to the riots on New Year's Eve/New Year's Day 2023, Justice Minister Felor Badenberg, chairwoman of the Conference of Justice Ministers of the federal states, is now considering the consistent application of Tasers as proposed by Buschmann.
- Tasers, which have shown a preventative effect, are already in use in some German federal states, such as Rhineland-Palatinate, and enable police officers to keep attackers at a distance without causing fatal injury, like firearms.
- In light of the ongoing issue of criminality and the protection of emergency services in Germany, it is essential that the operational force is equipped with the best possible equipment, as emphasized by Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann.
- As Germany grapples with issues of public safety and criminality, the ongoing demonstrations in various parts of the country highlight the need for effective measures, such as the consideration of nationwide Taser use in those federal states where it is not yet implemented.
Source: www.stern.de
