The proposed revision of the Federal Police Act, spearheaded by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU, is drawing sharp criticism from the Green Party, raising concerns over the erosion of public trust and the potential for overreach by law enforcement. Marcel Emmerich, the Green Party’s parliamentary spokesperson for domestic policy, accused Dobrindt of prioritizing broad surveillance and random checks over measures designed to ensure transparency and accountability in policing.
Emmerich, in an interview with the Tagesspiegel, argued that the shift away from mechanisms like control receipts, anonymized identification requirements and mandatory bodycam footage towards unchecked and arbitrary citizen monitoring risks fueling racial profiling and infringing upon fundamental rights. He characterized the approach as creating a “false sense of security” while simultaneously undermining the principles of a rule-of-law state.
The proposed legislation appears to pivot towards a model where police intervention is less reliant on demonstrable cause and more focused on pre-emptive surveillance, prompting questions about the justification and scope of such measures. Critics fear that without sufficient oversight and safeguards, the revised act could lead to discriminatory practices and a chilling effect on civil liberties.
While acknowledging the rightful place of drone defense within the Federal Police’s core responsibilities, Emmerich also highlighted the ongoing power struggle surrounding its implementation. He urged the federal government to swiftly resolve jurisdictional disputes to ensure the effective protection of airports and critical infrastructure against potential hybrid attacks orchestrated by Russia. The delay, he suggests, hinders the government’s ability to adequately respond to evolving security threats and is detrimental to national security.