Police officer from Preetz seriously injured: A fight against violence

Police officer from Preetz seriously injured: A fight against violence

An incident that brings concerns about the safety of police officers in Schleswig-Holstein into focus occurred in 2017 at Preetz train station. Nico Skrotzki, a police chief from Preetz, noticed a group of rioting young people during an operation. This altercation ended in an attack on him, which resulted in serious injuries. The incident, which was witnessed by a taxi driver, led to a pursuit of the perpetrators, which, according to kn-online.de, consisted of four teenagers, three of whom were described as aggressive.

During the arrest, a 16-year-old youth resisted and hit Skrotzki in the face. The injuries he suffered were significant: a broken cheekbone, a damaged sinus wall, a traumatic brain injury, as well as bruises and tinnitus. The police chief was hospitalized for seven days, which was a formative experience for his family, especially his daughters.

Reflection and support

In the fall of 2025, Skrotzki looks back on this incident and reflects on how much his view of duty operations has changed. The experiences he gained occupy a large place in his memory, and the support from the Police Officers' Relief and Support Fund (Hupf) was invaluable to him and his family. Among other things, they received a short vacation that they found enriching.

In view of such aggressive attacks, it is not surprising that social brutalization has become an increasingly explosive topic in the discussion about the safety of police officers in recent years. According to [gdp.de](https://www.gdp.de/schleswig-holstein/de/stories/2025/01/polizeihilfsfonds-er Schwerte-dienstausuebung-durch-verrohung-der-gesellschaft), the increase in resistance and acts of violence against police officers in Schleswig-Holstein is alarming. Former interior ministers are calling for greater social appreciation and support for police officers, who are often confronted with a fearful reality.

Unfortunately, the incidents that Skrotzki experienced are not isolated. In 2018, over 38,000 acts of violence against police officers were registered in Germany, with the majority of suspects being male and under 25 years old. These extremely worrying statistics demonstrate the ongoing and increasing violence against police officers, which is often perceived as normalized in society, as the bpb.de introduces.

Social change required

The increasing aggressiveness towards the police has led to a strong feeling of insecurity within the force. The social status of the police is essential for the motivation of officers and their safety. Andreas Breitner from the police union is therefore calling for a cultural change towards more tolerance towards the forces that ensure the safety of citizens.

In times of New Year's Eve riots with hundreds of injured and dead, the urgency becomes even clearer. With his injuries and the immediate consequences, Skrotzki himself has experienced how important it is for police officers to be well equipped and prepared for such escalations. It is up to all of us to take these issues seriously and initiate change to improve both officer safety and trust in the police.