GdP boss - Kopelke calls for "smart discussion" after New Year's Eve mission
Following the massive police operation on New Year's Eve, the GdP police union is calling for a discussion about strengthening the security forces. It has been shown: "Where police are visible in large numbers, approachable for citizens, there is also more security," said the chairman of the police union (GdP), Jochen Kopelke, on WDR5 on Tuesday. However, it is simply not possible for the police to ensure security at all critical events in future with as many personnel as on New Year's Eve.
Kopelke therefore called for a "smart discussion about strengthening the security authorities". This should not only involve more personnel, but also the use of modern technology, for example for video surveillance of events. The police unionist also reiterated the call for a ban on firecrackers on New Year's Eve. Where cities had banned fireworks at the turn of the year last year, the "instrument of crime pyrotechnics" had not been used against emergency services in the first place.
Apart from the security policy discussion, society also needs to start thinking. "Why is it necessary in this society to place police officers alongside first responders so that lives can be saved?"
Across Germany, emergency services have been called out in thousands of incidents, with around 100 officers injured according to an initial police estimate. According to the latest police figures, around 390 people were arrested in Berlin alone on New Year's Eve - many for violations of the Weapons and Explosives Act. In Berlin, 54 police officers were injured, 30 of them by pyrotechnics. From 6 p.m. on Sunday to 6 a.m. on Monday, the police in North Rhine-Westphalia counted 1,186 people who were ordered to leave the premises during New Year's Eve operations and 26 people were arrested. In NRW, 21 police officers were injured.
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The GdP chairman, Jochen Kopelke, stressed the importance of visible and approachable police forces in enhancing security. However, he acknowledged that maintaining such large-scale security during critical events like New Year's Eve with the same number of personnel is not feasible. Therefore, Kopelke advocated for a "smart discussion about strengthening the security authorities," incorporating modern technology and potentially a ban on firecrackers on New Year's Eve, where effective in preventing misuse against emergency services.
The recent New Year's Eve deployment resulted in thousands of incidents across Germany, leading to around 100 officers being injured according to initial estimates. Berlin alone reported over 100 arrests, mostly for weapons and explosives violations, with 54 officers injured by pyrotechnics. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the police ordered 1,186 people to leave premises and arrested 26 individuals during New Year's Eve operations, resulting in 21 officer injuries.
Raising concerns beyond security policy, Jochen Kopelke questioned the societal necessity of deploying police officers alongside first responders to protect lives. His comments followed the controversial New Year's Eve mission and the integral role of the security forces in maintaining order and ensuring public safety.
Source: www.stern.de
