Overview

• Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has pledged to secure a legal framework for Taser deployment by the end of 2025, citing a record rise in attacks on federal officers to 10,726 last year.
• The Bundespolizei is piloting Taser deployment at four stations to evaluate their use as a non-lethal force option in critical incidents.
• The Gewerkschaft der Polizei has endorsed the plan, arguing that Tasers could enhance officer safety at high-risk locations such as train stations.
• SPD Interior Minister Daniela Behrens and Die Linke’s Clara Bünger have raised concerns that adding Tasers could complicate operations in high-stress situations and prefer a stronger focus on de-escalation.
• Medical experts warn that Taser shocks may pose serious health risks for individuals with heart or circulatory conditions, a factor police guidelines require officers to consider.