Slight Increase in Violence Against Police Prompts Coalition to Propose Tougher Laws

Recent data from the Federal Criminal Police Office indicates a marginal rise in violent incidents targeting police officers across Germany over the past year. The Federal Ministry of the Interior reported that, in 2024, authorities registered 46,357 cases of violence directed at law enforcement personnel, reflecting a 0.3 percent increase from the previous year.

According to the ministry, approximately 87 percent of these incidents involved forms of resistance or direct physical attacks. The definition of violence for these statistics covers a broad spectrum, including threats, coercion, and intentional bodily harm. Since 2017, the number of such cases has shown a steady upward trend, with 106,875 police officers nationwide reported as victims in 2024--an increase of 67.2 percent compared to 2015.

Analysis of the data reveals that the vast majority of suspected perpetrators, around 83 percent, are male, while more than a third (34.9 percent) do not hold German citizenship. The ministry emphasized that these figures highlight the ongoing challenges and risks law enforcement personnel face in their daily duties.

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has advocated for stricter penalties, asserting the necessity of enhancing protection measures for police, fire, and rescue services. The coalition government has announced intentions to introduce new legislation aimed at strengthening legal safeguards for emergency responders and expediting judicial processes in such cases. The proposal is being jointly prepared by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice, led by Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig.

Minister Hubig addressed the growing concern over the increasing frequency of assaults not only on police but also on rescue and emergency workers. She cited recurring instances of aggression, particularly during high-risk events such as New Year's Eve, and underscored the importance of a robust legal response to such developments. The proposed reforms are expected to reinforce criminal law provisions to deter potential offenders and enhance the safety of frontline personnel.

Legislative amendments in 2017 expanded criminal protections for emergency workers, introducing new offences that allowed for sentences of up to five years in prison for physical attacks on police, fire, or rescue service members. This protection applies regardless of whether the violence occurs during an arrest or other official actions, and offences involving weapons or dangerous tools are subject to more severe penalties.

Despite these legislative efforts, the frequency of attacks has continued to rise. Although the government coalition previously sought to amend the law in 2024 to further improve protections, the dissolution of the coalition prevented the passage of the proposed bill in parliament. In response, the newly formed coalition of CDU, CSU, and SPD has pledged in its agreement to enhance the legal framework for the protection of emergency and health professionals. There are also considerations to extend these protections to local politicians and individuals serving the public interest. Detailed legislative proposals are anticipated in the near future.

Overall, the government's planned measures reflect a broader commitment to address the persistent issue of violence against police and other emergency personnel, with the aim of ensuring their safety and maintaining public order.