The German Federal Police are set to be comprehensively equipped with conducted electrical weapon devices, commonly known as Tasers, following a cabinet decision on Wednesday. The proposal, put forward by Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), paves the way for a nationwide rollout of the devices by formally adding them to the list of approved police equipment.
Pilot programs involving various Taser models have been underway within the Federal Police since 2020. Approximately 200 specially trained officers have carried the devices during over 40,000 operational deployments. During this period, the devices were threatened to be used 132 times and deployed on 16 occasions. The ministry reports that these practical experiences indicate the Taser’s effectiveness as a supplementary tool and that it enjoys a high level of acceptance among officers.
The government has already earmarked €5 million in the 2025 federal budget to facilitate the widespread introduction. Additional funding is planned for subsequent years, covering device procurement, officer training and ongoing operational costs.
“Our officers need to be able to act swiftly and safely in dangerous situations” stated Dobrindt. “Conducted electrical weapon devices provide the police with an additional, reliable means of responding – one that is effective, controllable and operates below the threshold for firearm deployment”.