More Money - The Police Union demands uniform allowances
The German Police Union (GdP) in Saarland is demanding a nationwide uniform police allowance of 300 Euro - at least a doubling of the current rate. According to GdP Saarland State Chairman Andreas Rinnert, Saarland ranks among the bottom in the country with a monthly allowance of 135.14 Euro. This not only means an unequal treatment, but also affects the number of applicants in the country, Rinnert told the German Press Agency.
"Since our neighbor Rhineland-Palatinate raised the allowance to 180 Euro from July 1 of this year, it has become even more noticeable in the 'applicant pool'", he said. Saarland competes with the Federal Police, who, like other federal authorities, pay the nationwide maximum of 228 Euro - 90 Euro more. In addition, the allowance at the federal level is pensionable, meaning it is also paid in retirement.
First Increase in 23 Years
The Saarland police officers received an increase from the previous state government in 2021. Since then, there have been increases of three percent on January 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022. "In total, that's an increase of 7.76 Euro," Rinnert summarized. This was, in fact, the first increase in 23 years.
"The police profession is a great profession," Rinnert emphasized. However, it differs significantly from other public service jobs. The police allowance should compensate for the specific risks and burdens of police service. "Police officers and policewomen experience things at a weekend shift that most people avoid for a lifetime," the GdP chairman said.
Moreover, they are regularly required to show special readiness for action. "They are often in the front line and must make quick decisions in psychologically and physically challenging situations," Rinnert explained. This applies even to the use of firearms. Regularly, they put their health and lives on the line.
"Police officers give their best every day"
"The dangers and challenges are the same throughout Germany," Rinnert said. Therefore, the GdP is not only demanding a uniform police allowance, but also, as is usual in other federal states, the dynamic increase according to tariff agreements and the reintroduction of pensionability.
"Despite personnel shortages, high deployment burdens, and poorer pay, police officers and policewomen in Saarland give their best every day," Rinnert said. The police allowance is an important measure of recognition for the special burdens in police service.
- The Trade Union in Rhineland-Palatinate also increased the police allowance, causing a notable difference in the applicant pool between the two states.
- The demand for a uniform police allowance of 300 Euro by the German Police Union (GdP) in Saarland is in contrast to the nationwide maximum of 228 Euro paid by the Federal Police in Germany.
- The GdP in Saarland is advocating for a dynamic increase in the police allowance according to tariff agreements, similar to what is common in other federal states, and the reintroduction of pensionability.
- The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Saarland is impacted by the low police allowance, potentially affecting the competitiveness of the regional economy due to the impact on recruitment and retention of police personnel.
