Hamburg, May 3 – The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Hamburg has voiced strong criticism regarding a high number of vacant positions within the city’s police force. According to information provided by the Senate in response to a CDU inquiry, nearly 500 authorized personnel positions are currently without staff.
500 Unfilled Positions Across Hamburg Police
The Hamburg police force comprises approximately 10,300 authorized personnel positions, encompassing various departments from patrol services to criminal investigation and administration. However, only about 9,800 of these positions are actually filled, as confirmed by the Senate.
Stefan Bereuter, a CDU Member of Parliament, highlighted that this represents 500 fewer officers and staff than the police force should ideally have. He further criticized the uneven distribution of this shortage across departments.
Uneven Distribution of Personnel Shortages
Bereuter pointed out that while police leadership, human resources, and the police academy are overstaffed, local police precincts are experiencing significant personnel shortages. This imbalance is reportedly leading to situations where patrol cars cannot be adequately staffed. Specifically, the uniformed police (Schutzpolizei) are facing a deficit of 600 officers compared to their authorized strength.
Police Union Cites Austerity Measures
Thomas Jungfer of the German Police Union (DPolG) acknowledged the challenging situation, attributing it not only to a lack of new recruits but also to austerity measures that have prevented the filling of vacant positions. He stated, “We are currently in a difficult situation, it feels.”
In contrast, the Senate emphasized that the Hamburg police force has grown by more than 1,000 full-time employees over the past decade. This growth, however, does not alleviate the current concerns raised by the CDU and the police union regarding the existing vacancies and their impact on operational capabilities.
Impact on Local Policing
The reported shortages at local police precincts raise questions about the effectiveness of day-to-day policing and the ability to respond to incidents promptly. The CDU’s criticism underscores the need for a balanced allocation of resources to ensure public safety across all areas of Hamburg.
Ongoing Discussions and Future Outlook
The issue of police staffing levels is likely to remain a key point of discussion in Hamburg’s political landscape. Both the CDU and the police union are calling for urgent action to address the personnel gaps and ensure that the police force is adequately equipped to meet the demands of a growing city.
The Senate’s response, while highlighting overall growth, does not fully address the concerns about specific departmental shortages. Further measures and strategic planning may be required to rectify the uneven distribution of personnel and ensure optimal police presence where it is most needed.
This issue was discussed on NDR 90.3 as part of ‘NDR 90.3 Aktuell’ on March 5, 2026, at 06:00 AM.
Other recent news from Hamburg includes the HSV’s near-relegation in the Bundesliga, 27 homeless deaths this year, U3 line closure between Barmbek and Mundsburg, and the Bafög office’s plan for full digitalization by 2027.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/cdu-kritisiert-personalmangel-bei-hamburger-polizei,polizeihamburg-100.html
