Video recordings from wearable devices such as body cameras.
In a bid to enhance transparency, safety, and modernize policing, the Lower Saxony state government has unveiled plans for a comprehensive police reform. The announced changes include the introduction of body cameras, ankle monitors, drones, and AI-assisted video surveillance, among other measures.
The proposed reforms follow the tragic incident involving the fatal police shooting of 21-year-old Lorenz in Oldenburg, which has sparked calls for change.
One of the key elements of the reform is the mandatory use of body cameras by police officers when they use or threaten to use immediate force. An automated system will activate these cameras as soon as an officer draws their firearm, aiming to provide a clear record of police actions.
The use of drones is also part of the planned equipment for the police, although details about their use remain scarce. The new law will regulate how police can locate and repel drones that fly over military installations or critical infrastructure without permission. This technology could help prevent terrorist threats, find victims of kidnapping, human trafficking, or sexual exploitation, and locate missing persons.
Ankle monitors will be used in cases of domestic violence, with a court order, similar to their use in Spain. This measure is aimed at preventing further attacks on victims, particularly women, who are disproportionately affected by domestic violence. Despite the rise in domestic violence in Lower Saxony, with a statistic of an attempted or completed homicide every four to five days in 2024, the most dangerous place for women, even in Lower Saxony, remains the home, according to Interior Minister Daniela Behrens.
The new regulations will also clarify the legal basis for the use of drones in daily police work. The government plans to enable a live comparison of biometric data to identify individuals. The use of body cameras inside homes will be allowed after the reform.
The Police Union (GdP) in Lower Saxony sees much good in the project, including modernization, relief for police work, and better protection for victims. However, the opposition AfD faction views the reforms as piecemeal and half-hearted, presenting heightened challenges. The AfD's spokesperson on internal affairs, Stephan Bothe, believes that amendments for Artificial Intelligence, drone deployments, and electronic ankle bracelets in cases of domestic violence are long overdue steps. Yet, it remains unclear why the Minister continues to refuse the widespread use of tasers.
The deputy chairman of the GdP, Sascha Göritz, emphasized that the new regulations should be practical, not too restrictive, and not add additional burden to the officers. The new law is expected to provide a safer environment for both the police and the public, while increasing transparency and accountability in police actions.
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