Three years after the police murder: how Kusel was changed!

Three years after the police murder: how Kusel was changed!

On January 31, 2025, the murder of two police officers in Kusel marks the third time. This incident, which shakes Germany, not only led to a rethink within the police structures, but also to an adaptation of police training in Rhineland-Palatinate. Inspector Friedel Durben describes the crime as a "scar" in the organization that has a long time. The affected police candidates and colleagues were severely affected by the murders, especially because one of the police officers killed was still in training.

A memorial for the two police officers was launched on the Hahn campus. The chief of police emphasizes that the crime had no direct effects on the number of applicants, but influenced the general mood among colleagues. "We are well prepared," says Durben, pointing out that knowledge from the incident has been incorporated into the training programs.

changes in police training

The Rhineland-Palatinate police have fundamentally adapted their training in order to better meet the challenges when operating under unfavorable lighting conditions. All police officers complete comprehensive shooting training and learn how to deal with Tasern. The adaptations of the training aim to sensitize the emergency services to critical situations and to better prepare them for dangerous layers.

The murders of the police officers took place during a routine check, a situation that was supposedly harmless, but turned out to be fatal. The perpetrator was sentenced to life in prison for his crime. Unfortunately, the incident also triggered a wave of hate comments against police officers on the Internet, which shows how strong the social tensions are.

increase in violent offenses against police officers

Although brutal attacks on police officers in Rhineland-Palatinate are rare, the number of violent crimes overall remains at a high level. In 2022, the Interior Ministry of Rhineland-Palatinate registered 1,788 offenses against police officers, while in 2023 the number fell slightly to 1,758. In the first half of 2023, 849 violent offenses were recorded, most of them in the Koblenz police headquarters.

Above all, resistance, assault or threats are in the foreground of the offenses. The union of the Rhineland-Palatinate police is concerned about these developments. Stefanie Loth, the state chairman, gives the numbers alarming and demands measures to increase the safety of the officials.

social context and challenges

The Kusel case not only influenced the police structures, but also initiated social discussions. The sensitization to police violence has increasingly focused on the George Floyd case in the United States. Reports of excessive use of violence by police officers and their causes ensure continuing debates. Studies, such as those of the Goethe University Frankfurt, illuminate the problem of police violence and its processing.

The challenges in police work are diverse. They range from stress and excessive demands to inadequate training and poor communication. These factors increase the risk of excessive use of violence. In the police culture, violence is often considered normal, which leads to insufficient consequences for violent misconduct.

The Rhineland-Palatinate police continue to improve the situation. In order to gain credibility towards the public and your own organization, reforms and a more transparent debate about police force are necessary. This is the only way to sustainably strengthen trust between the police and society.