The German Federation of Police Officers (BDK) has voiced cautious support for the federal government’s proposed legislation to escalate penalties for attacks on emergency responders, police officers and healthcare professionals, while simultaneously highlighting critical limitations in its potential effectiveness. BDK Chairman Dirk Peglow, in statements to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), welcomed the initiative as a “significant signal” ahead of the New Year’s Eve period, a notorious flashpoint for unrest.
The planned increase in the minimum prison sentence from three to six months for such offenses is being presented as a tangible deterrent. Peglow acknowledged the move would curtail judicial discretion in pursuing lesser penalties and could lead to more prosecutions coupled with a reduced likelihood of suspended sentences – effectively strengthening the legal repercussions for perpetrators. He emphasized that the legislative change signifies a marked shift in the assessment of these offenses, a change that frontline personnel rightfully expect.
However, Peglow’s endorsement comes with a crucial caveat. He cautioned that simply increasing sentence lengths alone may not prove sufficiently effective in deterring future attacks, particularly those committed impulsively or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He underscored that the integrity and efficiency of the justice system are paramount. Protection, he argues, is not achieved through legislative pronouncements but through swift investigations, consistent prosecutions and timely judgements.
“Symbolic politics does not help the emergency services” Peglow stated bluntly, pointing out that the erosion of public trust stems not from lenient sentencing, but from protracted investigations and procedural delays that ultimately render the legal system impotent. The BDK chairman’s comments inject a note of realism into the government’s response, suggesting that while legislative changes may offer a perceived boost to reassurance, genuine improvement hinges on a fundamental overhaul of the prosecutorial and judicial processes to ensure accountability and swift justice. The BDK’s critique implicitly challenges the government to address systemic inefficiencies within the legal framework, rather than relying solely on punitive measures to quell escalating tensions.