Berlin’s judicial administration is set to equip approximately 270 enforcement officers with bulletproof and stab-resistant protective vests, according to reports from judicial sources and confirmed by public broadcaster RBB.
The decision, spearheaded by Justice Senator Felor Badenberg (CDU), responds to a rising number of verbal and physical assaults against these officials while carrying out their duties. This follows a concerning incident last year when a judicial enforcement officer was shot at through a closed door; fortunately, the officer escaped unharmed.
Despite the current strain on Berlin’s budget, a procurement process for the vests is already underway. Each set is estimated to cost €1,050. Data from the Association of Berlin Higher Enforcement Officers indicates that 222 of the approximately 270 officers working in the capital have formally requested protective vests, resulting in an overall cost of approximately €276,000.
Martin Graetz, Chairman of the Association of Berlin Higher Enforcement Officers, anticipates that the order will be finalized this year, with distribution of the vests expected to commence in early 2026. Graetz emphasized a noticeable deterioration in the safety conditions faced by enforcement officers in recent years, highlighting an increase in instances of aggression and hostility from citizens. He expressed hope that the vests, along with other preventative measures, will contribute to a safer working environment.
According to the Association of Berlin Higher Enforcement Officers, judicial enforcement officers in the capital recovered around €57 million in debts from debtors in 2023, a marked increase from the €37.3 million recovered in 2022 and the €40.2 million collected in 2021.