Pressing for Tech Upgrades in German Border Control: Union's Appeal for Advanced Tech
Enhanced Border Security: Police Union Advocates for Improved Digital and Technical Tools - Enhanced Border Security: Police Union Advocates for Advanced Technical Gear
In a series of urgent pleas, the police union is urging for reinforcements in the form of advanced technology to bolster border controls, citing the Bavarian border police's already-deployed tech as the blueprint for success. The union's wishlist includes drones, mobile control points equipped with modern license plate recognition and people detectors, and high-tech surveillance for "green borders."
These advances are not just about beefing up security - they're also about easing the workload on our already overworked officers. As police chief Rosskopf puts it, "The reserve police and mobile units are Shouldering a mountain of overtime, and it'll become critical if we don't reduce it to an acceptable level." Otherwise, vital personnel could be MIA during crucial deployments, such as at train stations or airports.
But it's not all about workload management. Rosskopf is adamant that personnel-intensive checks can't hold up forever. He's warning that, "At this intensity, our forces cannot keep up this border pace for months on end."
The Federal Police has already tested these high-tech solutions since 2018, finding them effective. Yet, they've failed to materialize in our arsenal. Why? Rosskopf laments, "Germany lags behind other European countries from the Netherlands to Romania."
Union-wise, they're all for measures that tighten border control and deter illegal immigration. But, Rosskopf poses a salient question: "Is it sustainable? How long can we maintain these high personnel performances?"
Tightened border controls by new Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt could mean more automobiles getting stuck in traffic jams. Meanwhile, the union is advocating for minimal interference with commuter and goods traffic. However, as Rosskopf acknowledges, "The intensified border controls will inevitably impact traffic more than before."
[1] Entry-Exit System of the European Union's Schengen Area[2] EU's Digital Border Management Initiatives[3] Schengen Border Controls Restored in the Netherlands
- The police union, appealing for advanced technology, believes these solutions, like drones and mobile control points equipped with modern license plate recognition and people detectors, are necessary to sustainably reduce the workload on officers at German border control, as demonstrated by the success of the Bavarian border police.
- High-tech surveillance for green borders and advanced technology at border checkpoints could potentially lessen the sensitivity to criticism regarding intrusive and excessive border control measures, ensuring the efficient management of the community's policy towards immigration.
- Emphasizing the need for technologically-driven strategies in border control, police chief Rosskopf alludes to the importance of leveraging technology excellently, as it can help regulate traffic flow at train stations and airports—a concern amidst tighter border controls and the potential impact on commuter and goods traffic.
- Union members support measures that boost border security and combat illegal immigration, but they question the long-term sustainability of vocational training-intensive checks, citing the need to maintain a balance between effectiveness and officer wellbeing over months on end.
