Berlin police fleet: The condition of the cars is so catastrophic!

Berlin police fleet: The condition of the cars is so catastrophic!

Last week, pictures of a completely desolate police car caused a stir on the Facebook page of the police union (GdP) in Berlin. The pictures show how parts of the interior cladding are fixed with tape and that the gear stick was temporarily patched up. These photos and the ironic comment "The fleet is really a full catastrophe" triggered almost 2000 reactions and numerous comments from concerned citizens who would like a life without damaged police vehicles. Consideration about the state of the service cars raise the question of whether the fleet in Berlin is getting old and urgently needs upgrading, or whether it is due to the lack of public funds, such as Express

Security risks in the capital?

The GdP head of the state already expressed in mid -2024 that daily reports about defective vehicles are unsustainable. In particular, the brakes of the Mercedes Vito models are criticized. In May 2024 there was even a cable fire in a radio car while driving. Florian Nath, a spokesman for the Berlin police, resisted this criticism and emphasized that no so -called "irregular braking problems" were known. So far, only Opel vehicles that are well suited for property protection have not been criticized, reports Auto Motor und Sport.

annual investment backlog

The Berlin police vehicle stock comprises around 2,650 vehicles, some of which go back to 1981. The fleet has been exchanged almost completely since 2010, but the investment backlog is enormous and is an estimated 40 million euros. This sum differs quite from the figures given by the police. The annual maintenance requirement is 12.75 million euros, which underlines that the police can only procure about 150 to 180 new vehicles annually - far from the recommended 280 vehicles to renew the fleet, reports [police report] (https://polizei report.info/ausruestung/fuhrpark/).

Cologne in a similar situation?

Another aspect that should not go unmentioned is the indicated situation of the Cologne police vehicles. While Berlin is currently getting a lot of attention for its unacceptable condition of the fleet, Cologne could face similar challenges in the near future. The question of financing and the associated investments remains central to ensuring the security of citizens and not endangering trust in the police.

The location of the fleet illustrates that technical equipment is as important as personnel resources, and it is to be hoped that the relevant places will act here soon. The call of the union after better equipment is not just a cry for help; It is a clear indication that no progress can be expected without any changes. How long can the condition be tolerated? It is time to set the course for a modern and ready -to -operate fleet.