According to reports from the “Rheinische Post”, the federal police force is facing significant issues with its explosive detection dogs. The German Police Union (GdP) stated that hundreds of service dogs are currently missing. Andreas Roßkopf, the chair for the federal police and customs sector, told the newspaper that “the structure of the federal police service dog system is unconditionally outdated”.
Roßkopf further noted that the lack of necessary equipment is common. He pointed out that shortages often go beyond just dog leashes, also affecting protective gear for assistance dogs and suitable explosives required for training. According to the union, the federal police should currently have over 629 service dogs; however, only 446 are available, with only 308 considered operational. The federal government acknowledged this precarious situation in mid-March when responding to a parliamentary inquiry by the Left Party, stating that “the federal police averaged over 450 service dogs starting in 2010, with a decreasing trend”.
Calling for swift reform, Roßkopf stressed that technological aids are nowhere near the capability of well-trained explosive detection dogs. He argued that the necessary steps include establishing a dedicated “Service Dog Center” as well as modern premises and comprehensive training facilities.