In a recent development, the Interior Minister of Lower Saxony, Daniela Behrens from the Social Democratic Party, has expressed reservations about the use of electronic shock devices, such as Tasers, by the police.
While the federal interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt from the Christian Social Union, had announced plans to equip the federal police with Tasers, Lower Saxony has only equipped its special response units with the devices. Behrens questioned the usefulness of the devices, citing the potential for increased complexity in high-stress situations, which could lead to a less effective response.
The Left Party has also spoken out against the plans, citing a number of documented fatalities following Taser use, even in cases involving unarmed or disoriented individuals. The party’s parliamentary group’s spokesperson, Clara Bünger, argued that the devices are not a reliable method and, in fact, lower the threshold for the use of violence.
Bünger also questioned the effectiveness of the devices, stating that the reported success rate is alarmingly low in practice. She suggested that the plans are misguided and dangerous, representing a step towards the militarization of the police, rather than a measure of de-escalation.
The need for a police force that prioritizes de-escalation, communication and human rights was emphasized by Bünger, in contrast to the use of devices that may have unintended and potentially deadly consequences. In her view, the focus should be on developing a police force that is committed to these values, rather than relying on devices that may not be as effective as claimed.