The Police Union (GdP) has rejected the plans proposed by Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) to decriminalize fare evasion. Andreas Roßkopf, the GdP’s head for the Federal Police, told the “Rheinische Post” that this would effectively treat fare evasion as a minor offense.

If the minister’s proposal were implemented, according to Roßkopf, there is a risk that many people will simply stop caring whether they have a valid ticket. Furthermore, he criticized the idea of reclassifying a crime as an administrative offense with the justification that the justice system is too strained. Roßkopf argued that benefit fraud must remain a criminal offense; otherwise, it would set a dangerous precedent. He added that the amounts involved often exceed small change, frequently reaching amounts in the tens or even hundreds.