The Federal Police Act, which governs the tasks and legal status of the Federal Police, largely dates back to 1994, when neither chat groups nor social media existed. A lot has changed since then: just like the technical possibilities, the tasks faced by police have also become greater and more diverse.

In order to do justice to the broad scope of duties assigned to the Federal Police, the Federal Government has adapted the Federal Police Act to the new reality by passing a draft law in the Federal Cabinet to restructure the legislation. This will ensure the Federal Police Act is brought fully up to date and appropriately structured.

Modernisation and new powers 

The aim is to equip the more than 50,000 Federal Police officers with modern powers that correspond to today’s threats, thus helping them to reliably ensure security at our borders, at sea, at airports and on trains, and to protect citizens at home and abroad. 

Among other things, the new powers provide for:

• use of drones as carriers of sensors and for the detection and defence of drones that pose a threat;
• preventive telecommunications surveillance, including telecommunications surveillance of sources;
• issuing of reporting requirements and residency bans;
• carrying out suspicion-free checks in weapon and knife prohibition zones on the railways;
• application to the court for detention pending deportation against persons who are obliged to leave the country and do not have tolerated status, where such persons are the responsibility of the police.

Background check for new hires

In order to protect the Federal Police from infiltration by extremists, a background check will also be introduced for all new recruits to the Federal Police.

Further information is provided by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.