Police equipment review urged by GdP head following police attacks
Following a lethal stabbing incident involving a cop in Mannheim and subsequent shootings after a stabbing episode in Wolmirstedt, Sachsen-Anhalt, the police union is advocating for a discussion on police gear. Jochen Kopelke, the federal head of the police union, stated on MDR Aktuell, "It's not only about the Taser, it's essentially about safeguarding police officers and policewomen from stabbing attacks."
Tasers are non-lethal distance-electroshock weapons, enabling police officers to maintain a safe distance from an attacker. A police officer can discharge wired darts up to a range of 2 to 5 meters. For the recipient, this can be quite uncomfortable.
Kopelke mentioned a rise in the frequency of stabbing attacks. "We notice this trend in the crime statistics, which review the previous year's data. Furthermore, we witness it in our daily operations. The knife seems to be a primary focus in our routine." The police are equipped and undergo training to handle such situations if the other person is armed. "However, the challenge lies in situations where they don't anticipate it, and thus the police are increasingly involved, even leading to the use of firearms."
Kopelke elaborated on the use of service weapons: "Anyone charging towards others with a knife should be prepared for the use of a pistol, which could lead to severe injuries."
In the latest incident, on a Friday night in Wolmirstedt, north of Magdeburg, a 27-year-old was shot by police officers after suspicion of stabbing a 23-year-old and injuring several people at a private garden party. The police reportedly brandished their weapons after the Afghan allegedly attacked them with a knife too.
In Mannheim, on May 31, an Afghan reportedly stabbed five members of the islamcritical movement Pax Europa, a police officer, and later passed away.
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After the GdP head's call for a review of police equipment, the debate on providing Civil servants with better protection during attacks has gained momentum. The urgency for improved equipment is underscored by the rise in civilian and police officer stabbing attacks, as highlighted by Kopelke. In these situations, where Civil servants are unexpectedly under attack and unarmed, the use of police Equipment like firearms becomes necessary, underscoring the need for adequate protection.
