Body armor for Berlin's enforcement officers
In the heart of Germany, the Senate Administration for Justice in Berlin has announced plans to provide stab and bulletproof vests to court bailiffs to protect them against potential attacks. This decision comes in response to an increasing number of physical and verbal assaults on court bailiffs, a trend that has been a cause for concern for many in the profession.
Martin Graetz, chairman of the Association of Higher Court Bailiffs in the Berlin Regional Court District, has been a vocal advocate for this measure. Graetz, who was himself injured by a debtor with an axe many years ago, believes that court bailiffs are increasingly exposed to danger. Despite the lack of statistical figures on the frequency of attacks, Graetz estimates that almost half of his colleagues in Berlin have already experienced a threatening situation.
The measure, initiated by Justice Senator Felor Badenberg (CDU), aims to equip approximately 222 court bailiffs in Berlin with protective vests. These vests, which can be worn over or under clothing, consist of various shells to protect against stabs or shots. The cost of a set of protective vests is expected to be around 1,000 EUR gross.
It's important to note that court bailiffs in most cases work alone, making their safety a paramount concern. In a dangerous situation, they are authorised to call the police for support. However, the provision of protective vests is seen as an additional layer of protection, especially considering that court bailiffs in Berlin are responsible for enforcing money claims, serving court documents, seizing property, or evicting premises.
The delivery of the protective vests is scheduled for the first half of 2026. This timeline is later than the delivery in North Rhine-Westphalia, where the first of 750 protective vests for court bailiffs were handed out in Cologne at the end of 2023.
However, not all court bailiffs in Berlin are in favour of the protective vests. Some express concerns about the cost and the potential for escalation of situations. Despite these reservations, the majority of court bailiffs in Berlin consider protective vests 'desirable' for a long time.
One notable operation where the need for protection was evident was the eviction of a clan villa in Neukölln, which was carried out peacefully with the support of the police. The peaceful resolution of such operations underscores the importance of ensuring the safety of court bailiffs, who play a crucial role in maintaining the rule of law in Berlin.
As of 2023, Berlin's court bailiffs collected around 57 million euros from debtors. With the provision of protective vests, they can continue to perform their duties safely and efficiently, ensuring the smooth functioning of the justice system in the city.
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