Law enforcement officials are increasingly putting in extra hours at airport facilities
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in overtime hours among federal police officers at German airports, a trend primarily driven by intensified border controls and security measures.
According to recent data, Frankfurt Airport has the highest total of overtime hours among all airports, with a staggering 738,604 hours from 2018 to May 2020. Munich Airport follows closely with 623,970 overtime hours, while Düsseldorf Airport recorded 294,031 overtime hours during the same period.
The total overtime hours among federal police officers at all German airports reached 751,765 from 2018 to May 2020. This figure represents an increase of 6% from 2018, with Munich Airport recording 261,970 overtime hours and Düsseldorf Airport 147,031 overtime hours during the same period.
The reasons for this increase are manifold. Sustained border controls with neighbouring countries like Belgium, France, and Luxembourg have resulted in thousands of illegal border entries and additional operational demands on federal police. Additionally, policing smuggling networks and individuals with outstanding warrants at airports and border points contributes to longer and more frequent shifts. The extension and intensification of border checks ordered by the German Interior Ministry to curb illegal immigration and related security risks further exacerbate the situation.
The German government has spent tens of millions of euros on border controls, with nearly half of these costs attributed to police overtime pay. Bernd Reuther, the FDP parliamentary group's aviation expert, has called for consequences to reduce overtime hours among federal police officers at German airports. He suggests finding a way to reduce overtime hours while ensuring security at German airports.
Potential solutions to address the overtime increase and relieve the burden on officers include hiring additional personnel, improving infrastructure and resources, revisiting operational protocols, and coordinated EU-level action to address the root causes of illegal border crossings. The federal government may also need to "rework individual security concepts" to address the issue of increasing overtime hours.
Reuther has stated that accumulating more and more overtime hours cannot be a solution. He emphasises the need for sustainable solutions that balance security needs with the well-being of federal police officers. As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for all stakeholders to work together to find effective and lasting solutions to this pressing issue.
- The escalating overtime hours among federal police officers at German airports has sparked discussions in the realm of policy-and-legislation, with calls for sustainable solutions that promote workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness, such as hiring additional personnel or revising operational protocols.
- The issue of excessive overtime hours among federal police officers has also caught the attention of general-news outlets, with experts like Bernd Reuther, the FDP parliamentary group's aviation expert, advocating for measures that alleviate the burden on officers while maintaining security at the airports.
- The debate over the overtime increase among federal police officers at German airports is not just a matter of science and security, but also a topic of politics, as the government grapples with the financial implications, particularly the high costs of police overtime pay, and the need to ensure both security and the well-being of its officers.
