The German Federation of Police Officers (BDK) has voiced cautious approval of the federal government’s proposed legislation to toughen penalties for attacks on emergency responders, police officers and healthcare professionals. BDK Chairman Dirk Peglow, in comments to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), described the initiative, spearheaded by Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, as a “critical signal” ahead of the New Year’s Eve period, a time often marked by heightened tensions and incidents targeting security personnel.
Peglow emphasized the alarming frequency of attacks on law enforcement, stating that they have transitioned from isolated occurrences to a “routine part of daily operations”. He underscored the gravity of such actions, framing them not merely as assaults on individuals, but as direct challenges to the rule of law, demanding “tangible consequences”. The planned increase of the minimum prison sentence from three to six months is, according to Peglow, more than a superficial change. It significantly restricts judicial discretion regarding procedural dismissal and lenient sanctions, increasing pressure for prosecution and potentially eliminating the automatic suspension of prison sentences. This, he argues, represents a tangible shift in the legal assessment of these crimes – a change eagerly anticipated by those on the front lines.
However, Peglow stopped short of declaring the government’s proposal a definitive solution. Acknowledging that stricter sentencing guidelines alone may have limited deterrent effect, particularly in cases involving spontaneous acts or those committed under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he stressed the fundamental importance of a functioning justice system. He argued that true protection for emergency responders doesn’t stem from headline-grabbing legislation, but from swift investigations, consistent prosecutions and timely verdicts. Prolonged delays and procedural failures, he cautioned, erode the legitimacy and effectiveness of the legal system regardless of the severity of the penalties imposed. “Symbolic politics does not help the operational forces” Peglow concluded, implicitly calling for systemic improvements within the judiciary to ensure accountability and restore public confidence.
