Marco Buschmann
Justice Minister wants to equip the police with electric shockers – criticism from the police union
Marco Buschmann sees Tasers as a good option against New Year’s Eve riots. The police expressed skepticism.
© Britta Pedersen / DPA
Marco Buschmann has initiated a debate about so-called Tasers. The Federal Minister of Justice wants to equip the police with it – also against rioters on New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Eve is approaching – and with it the fear of riots and street battles at the turn of the year. Now it has Marco Buschmann expressed about it. In the debate about violence against emergency services, the Federal Minister of Justice is in favor of the use of distance electrical impulse devices, so-called Tasers, in all federal states.
The FDP politician wrote that the criminal protection of emergency services can already be adequately guaranteed today Berlin Justice Senator Felor Badenberg (independent), who is currently chairwoman of the Conference of Justice Ministers of the federal states. “It is necessary to use these instruments consistently. Difficulties in identifying perpetrators cannot be solved by tightening criminal regulations,” said Buschmann in the letter, which was first reported by the “Tagesspiegel” on Saturday. It was also available to the DPA news agency.
Marco Buschmann: Laws don’t need to be tightened
Buschmann referred to the result of an audit that the federal states’ justice ministers requested after the riots on New Year’s Eve/New Year 2022/2023. As a result, he sees no need to tighten the law. “However, the best possible equipment for police officers undoubtedly contributes to the effective protection of emergency services,” said Buschmann. Data collection indicates that Tasers “have a preventative effect, which is why I would like to encourage the examination of widespread use in those federal states where this is not yet the case.”
Rhineland-Palatinate was the first federal state to introduce Tasers at the end of 2018. With the distance electrical impulse device, police officers should be able to keep an attacker at a distance – without the risk of fatal injury as with a firearm. The police officer shoots arrows connected to wire from a distance of two to five meters. This is painful for those affected. The arrow penetrates the skin one centimeter deep and delivers an electrical pulse. The current affects nerves and muscles, causing incapacitation for a period of seconds.
However, the usefulness of Buschmann’s proposal is controversial, especially with regard to violence around the turn of the year. The federal chairman of the union welcomed the police (GdP), Jochen Kopelke, generally one Equipping emergency services with Tasers across the board. “On New Year’s Eve and in situations with crowds of people, this resource can hardly be used legally and can hardly be used in practice,” he told the “Tagesspiegel”.
During the New Year, police officers are often targeted from a distance in crowds. In such situations, access teams, irritant spray devices or video technology are more helpful. The GdP leader also called for more public prosecutors and judges on site for quick proceedings.
Sources:DPA/”Daily Mirror“