German Police Union Chief Warns of Changes in Police Role Amid Ukraine War
BERLIN, Germany – The head of the German Police Union, Jochen Kopelke, has expressed concerns that the ongoing Ukraine war could alter the role of the police in Germany. In an interview with Ippen-Media, Kopelke stated that the conflict has led to a reevaluation of the police’s mindset and capabilities in crisis situations.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created uncertainty among European police forces, with those in Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland perceiving a heightened threat from Russia, Kopelke noted. He pointed out that Eastern European police officers are currently being deployed to Ukraine and that the German police must prepare for similar scenarios.
“In the Ukraine, the police are dealing with the daily provision of emergency medical care and preventing looting. We, too, must prepare for such scenarios in Germany” Kopelke emphasized. He highlighted the Ukrainian police’s current situation, where officers are only on duty for a few weeks before being redeployed to the war effort.
Kopelke also emphasized the importance of maintaining the strict separation of the police and military in Germany, but acknowledged that the police may need to develop additional competencies and skills in the event of a crisis. He cited the example of drones, stating that the question of who is responsible for taking down a threatening drone over a chemical plant or a military base remains unresolved in Germany, despite multiple incidents with clear Russian connections.
Many of Germany’s European neighbors are wondering why the country has not yet addressed this issue, Kopelke said and some are even hoping that Germany could take a leading role in the area of defense.