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Waldfischbach police in transition: Kohler resigns, Baumann takes over!
Find out how police work in Southwest Palatinate has changed and get to know the new leaders.
Waldfischbach police in transition: Kohler resigns, Baumann takes over!
Today marks a special moment for the Waldfischbach-Burgalben police inspection: Andreas Kohler, who has been head of the inspection for 15 years, is retiring. In an interview with rheinpfalz.de, he looks back on his eventful time and reflects on the numerous changes that his profession has undergone in recent years. Kohler took over management in March 2010 and had a significant influence on the inspection in Waldfischbach-Burgalben.
Kohler's departure brings a breath of fresh air into the inspection. Peter Baumann, who started as deputy head of inspection on March 1, 2016, will now lead the inspection together with Kohler, which puts him in a position of responsibility. The 49-year-old police chief has already had a long career: he was hired by the Rhineland-Palatinate police on September 1, 1987 and had previously served in Worms. His commitment is valued not only in the police service, but also in table tennis, where he is known nationally. Presseportal.de reports on his plans for the inspection: he wants to continue the tradition and at the same time provide new impulses.
Changes in policing
Police colleagues are facing new challenges. The Association of German Criminal Investigators highlights the fact that police work is constantly changing and increasingly complex operational situations require the forces. Criminal activities are shifting, particularly in the digital space, which entails a great need for adjustment. One could say that the police are required to move as quickly as weasels in order to cope with change. Anyone who thinks that policing is synonymous with making arrests needs to realize that there is a lot more going on behind the scenes these days. Digital transformation and changing crime are not just buzzwords, but part of everyday life.
The discussion about the use of force by police officers is also attracting attention. Police measures are increasingly in the public eye, which does not always contribute to better understanding. On social media, operational videos are often shared without context, encouraging citizens to make premature assessments. Over 90,000 police officers became victims of job-related crimes in 2023 alone, showing how challenging the situation has become. It is extremely important that trust between citizens and the police is maintained - this requires transparent and community-oriented police work that also supports basic democratic values.
In all of these developments, the role of police officers should not be underestimated. They act as a link between the police and the population and make a significant contribution to a critical but fair discussion of police measures. We also remember the anniversary celebration “10 Years of Police Commissioner for the State of Rhineland-Palatinate” on November 27, 2024, at which Dirk Peglow, the federal chairman of the BDK, praised the importance of this institution. Supporting the police commissioners is a step in the right direction to strengthen and further develop the relationship between police and citizens. [BDK.de].
The current changes and challenges require police officers to have a good hand and a lot of tact. Andreas Kohler's era will certainly be remembered, but the course for a dynamic future has already been set.