Offender seeks to be subjected to a tasering by the Federal Police.
In a significant move, the German government has authorized a new bill that allows the federal police to carry and use Tasers nationwide, effective from July 2025 [1][3]. This decision marks a shift towards the use of remote methods for subduing individuals, particularly in potentially violent situations involving cold or blunt weapons, thereby reducing physical confrontations and enhancing officer safety.
The decision comes after a testing period since 2020, during which Tasers were used sparingly, with only about 16 deployments out of 40,000 arrests tested, and no reported health complications so far [1][2]. The new legislation aligns with the Interior Ministry’s aims and has emphasized careful regulation due to concerns over health risks, particularly for people with cardiovascular issues or other vulnerabilities [1][2].
The German Interior Ministry has allocated a budget of approximately 5 million euros annually, starting in 2025, to purchase around 10,000 Tasers over the next few years for the federal police [1][2]. This budget reflects the government's commitment to equip officers with these devices while overseeing training and usage protocols.
The use of Tasers, which emit electric shocks from a distance, causing muscle contractions and rendering a person unable to act, has been a topic of debate due to potential health consequences, particularly for individuals with heart conditions or circulatory problems. However, the bill emphasizes the preventive effect of distance-electric impulse devices, aiming to ensure a graduated approach in the use of immediate force.
Alexander Dobrindt, the Federal Interior Minister, supports the use of Tasers for maintaining distance, and plans to acquire 10,000 Tasers initially over the next few years. While he does not specify a timeframe for the entire acquisition process, he has expressed that the budget can be increased if necessary.
The bill is intended to provide law enforcement officers with all necessary means for effective and proportionate action, with firearms remaining the last resort. It is important to note that the budget for Tasers is not contingent on the approval of the Bundestag, as the proposal requires.
This reflects a carefully managed approach balancing police operational needs against public health concerns, with formal legislative backing and budget provision now in place [1][2][3].
[1] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuell/news/2023/03/2023-03-21-neue-regelung-fuer-die-nutzung-von-tasern-bei-der-bundespolizei-1068264 [2] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/taser-fuer-bundespolizei-neue-regelung-fuer-nationaal-einsatz-a-3b8a9f3c-0a6c-4025-a87e-688a59c5a97e [3] https://www.n-tv.de/politik/Taser-fuer-die-Bundespolizei-Artikel-11587048.html
The allocation of a budget for Tasers signifies the German government's plan to invest in gadgets like Tasers, with a focus on technology that emits electric shocks from a distance. This investment underscores the government's commitment to enhancing the federal police's capabilities through the use of such devices.
