The German Federal Police are set to be equipped with stun devices, commonly known as Tasers, across the country following a cabinet decision on Wednesday. The move, proposed by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), introduces a legal framework for the nationwide deployment of these devices.
The legislation expands the list of permitted police equipment to include stun devices, formalizing their use. The Federal Police have been conducting practical trials of various models since 2020. Approximately 200 specially trained officers have carried the devices during over 40,000 operations. Data reveals that the devices were brandished as a threat in 132 instances and deployed in 16 actual incidents. According to the Ministry, these trials demonstrate that stun devices are a valuable addition to the police’s toolkit and enjoy considerable acceptance among officers.
Funding for the comprehensive rollout is already allocated within the 2025 federal budget, totaling five million euros. Additional resources are planned for subsequent years to cover procurement, training and operational costs.
“Our officers must be able to act quickly and safely in dangerous situations” stated Dobrindt. “Distanz-Elektroimpulsgeräte provide the police with an additional, reliable means to act effectively, controllably and below the threshold for firearm deployment”.
