The SPD’s domestic‑policy group in the Bundestag has put forward a proposal to nationalise DB Sicherheit GmbH and to concentrate all security responsibilities under the Federal Police.
The proposal is documented in a position paper dated 13 January, which has become especially timely after the fatal attack on a train attendant that occurred earlier this week. The paper argues that, from a security‑policy perspective, protection and safety tasks concerning critical infrastructure must be organised in a reliable, nationwide and state‑responsible manner.
In concrete terms the SPD suggests creating an independent “Central Railway Object Protection” unit (Zentralen Objektschutz Bahn, ZOS Bahn) within the Federal Police and transferring DB Sicherheit into that entity. The authors state that such a move would best address the system relevance and the potential vulnerability of the rail network. Because of the heightened security situation, they contend that protective services should not be further removed from state control by private hand. ”Security standards must not depend on commercial interests” the position paper adds.
DB Sicherheit GmbH is a subsidiary of the railway group, employing roughly 5 000 people when its subcontractors are included. It holds the house‑right on all Deutsche Bahn trains, facilities and infrastructure. Yet, the overarching security mission of railway traffic remains a sovereign duty of the Federal Police, who are usually stationed at the stations.
According to the SPD’s analysis, railway security is currently characterised by overlapping authorities and the coexistence of separate actors. Different standards, powers and responsibilities lead to coordination problems, friction and an uneven level of protection.