- Minister: Police allowance increased 'unquestionable'
The police union (GdP) in Saarland has found a receptive audience with Interior Minister Reinhold Jost (SPD) regarding its demand for an increase in police allowance. "That it is necessary and sensible is, in my view, undisputed, especially since Rhineland-Palatinate has increased the allowance," he said in a conversation with the German Press Agency. "We should make sure we don't lag too far behind."
According to GdP, the neighboring state has increased the allowance by 37 percent as of July 1st, from 132 to 180 euros. With 135.14 euros per month, Saarland ranks among the lowest in the national comparison. This is not only unfair, said the Saarland GdP chief Andreas Rinnert, but also affects the number of applicants in the state.
The applicant pool has become "noticeably smaller" due to the increase in Rhineland-Palatinate. The police union therefore demands a nationwide uniform police allowance of 300 euros - at least a doubling of the current rate and continuation during retirement. This was abolished in Saarland for cost reasons in 2010, but exists in Bavaria, NRW, Saxony, and Bremen.
Jost announced that he would negotiate with the finance minister about the possibilities for police allowance in the coming years. "What we need to discuss is the amount," he said. However, he could not promise the continuation during retirement, which the GdP also demands.
The interior minister also mentioned two other improvements for the police, where the state has already "caught up" in this legislative period: Since the beginning of the year, the so-called Kipo allowance has been in effect for those involved in particularly stressful investigative work such as child pornography and sexual child abuse. They receive an additional allowance of 150 euros plus three additional vacation days because they are exposed to enormous psychological and physical stress and have to evaluate data quickly to uncover and stop abuse.
In addition, the allowance for duties at unfavorable times has been increased: Since the beginning of the year, there has been a 20 percent increase in the first stage, and it will increase by another 7.6 percent as of January 1, 2025. "That will mean around five euros more per hour for duties on Sundays and holidays," said Jost. Such a significant increase has not happened before.
However, one must also keep an eye on the perspective of the promotions of police officers, according to Jost. "It was previously much less pronounced here than in other states or the federal government." The internal affairs spokeswoman of the CDU faction, Anja Wagner-Scheid, had recently demanded that police officers in Saarland be better paid in the long term, the police allowance be increased, and promotions be granted more quickly.
According to the interior minister, they have been working for two years to reduce the backlog in promotions. In 2022, there were 198 promotions, 248 in 2023, and 113 so far this year - more will follow. This means that by the end of this legislative period, more than a third of Saarland's police officers will have been promoted at least once within five years.
"Never in the history of Saarland has there been so much money and transportation options for colleagues in the police service," said Jost. "This is also urgently needed for the recognition and appreciation of police officers."
The following is added to the initiatives aimed at improving conditions for police officers: Jost also mentioned the implementation of a Kipo allowance for officers involved in stressful investigations and an increase in the allowance for duties at unfavorable times.
In the process of discussing potential increases in the police allowance, Jost acknowledged that while he would negotiate with the finance minister, the continuation of the allowance during retirement could not be guaranteed.
