Berlin Police Officer Fined for Unlawful Disclosure of Confidential Information

A police officer in Berlin has been fined after being found guilty of sharing confidential police information without authorization. The Tiergarten District Court imposed a financial penalty of EUR10,800, equivalent to 90 daily rates of EUR120 each, after determining that the officer had disclosed sensitive internal material on four occasions.

The court proceedings revealed that the officer, who was suspended from duty and has led specialized investigative teams within the Berlin police, unlawfully communicated internal information to a female acquaintance. The offenses took place between August 2020 and March 2023. Shared data included details of police duty schedules and internal messages regarding incidents of right-wing extremist graffiti in the Neukölln district.

At the time of the incidents, the officer managed a small unit dedicated to investigating a series of far-right arson attacks, hate messages, and threats in Berlin-Neukölln. The efforts of these teams, initially called the Special Investigation Group on Right-Wing Extremism and later the Operational Group on Right-Wing Extremism, have been key to the police response to these ongoing criminal activities.

Authorities initiated investigations following a tip-off from the Military Counterintelligence Service, prompted by the fact that the recipient of the leaked information was then serving in the Bundeswehr. Initial concerns indicated potential connections between the officer, the woman, and right-wing extremist circles. However, the court found no evidence of collusion with extremist groups. Instead, it was established that the recipient was more closely associated with left-leaning groups and that both she and the officer shared an objective of countering the influence of far-right activities.

During the investigation, police searched the homes of both the officer and his acquaintance, seizing mobile devices and other digital storage units as evidence. As a result of the findings, the officer was suspended, and disciplinary proceedings were initiated. The presiding judge clarified that although the officer's actions represented a breach of official secrecy, there was no substantiated link to extremist groups, and the transmission of information did not serve any criminal or ideological agenda.

The imposed fine is slightly less than the sum requested by the prosecution. While the court's verdict does not automatically prevent the officer from returning to active duty, the outcome of the internal disciplinary process will ultimately determine his professional future within the police force. The verdict is not yet legally binding, and further legal steps may be pursued by the involved parties.

For several years, Berlin's police and judicial authorities have been engaged in investigations into a series of right-wing extremist incidents in Neukölln, including arson attacks and threats. The so-called Neukölln complex remains a subject of scrutiny, with a parliamentary inquiry still underway and a final report expected in the coming months. The police continue to address the challenges posed by extremist activities in the city, emphasizing the importance of maintaining internal security protocols and upholding the integrity of law enforcement operations.