Police in Bad Godesberg Security concept triggers irritation
Bad Godesberg · An anonymous letter asserts that some police refuse to take part in nighttime security initiatives. The police department responds.
A new security concept is meant to increase the feeling of safety amongst Bad Godesberg residents. This action results from growing unease following the fatal attack on Niklas P. More police officers are on the streets now and there is a greater focus on potential juvenile offenders during nighttime inspections in critical areas. For many citizens, these actions have been welcomed, but within law enforcement circles, it seems to be peppered with some resentment.
General Anzeiger received an anonymous letter from “ a member of Police Headquarters in Bonn,” asserting that some officers refuse to participate in nighttime operations, “it was too dangerous for them, they were just too old.” Armed police officers refused to “protect the Bad Godesberg population. In my view, a scandal!” That is not the only criticism; another is the approach by authorities. “As a result, those police officers who are fearful must only perform this duty when a special force of 100 officers are deployed.” It’s quasi police protecting police. For Bad Godesbergers, this means fewer available police for the critical areas because “the special force of 100 is rarely available for use on weekends in Bad Godesberg.”
Comments expressed in the letter are not entirely correct, according to the press office of Bonn police. “An internal shifting of staff we have,” said speaker Robert Scholten. In carrying out the concept, however, all directorates were involved, including the transportation unit, which is the smallest, and having the highest average age in the late 50’s. They had to revise the concept to the effect that “members of the transportation unit are increasingly used in bicycle and foot patrols.”
This could be interpreted to mean that some officers are showing their presence, but their participation in the special security operations are reduced. It would not be correct to say there are fewer police on patrol in Bad Godesberg on weekends. The security concept and exercises are carried out despite task force availability; the number of officers stays the same - it’s just that they are configured differently.
Whether the letter writer is a single critical voice or if there are others at police headquarters who share the opinion is not known. Udo Schott, chairman of the Bonn Union of Police says “I am not aware of complaints - neither from authorities nor from the Bad Godesberg police station. “
In general, the concept makes sense. “There is the need and we support it,” says Schott. They have already seen some success; known offenders have been banned from parks and other public places for three months during certain time periods.
Orig. text: Ayla Jacob
