CDU on public safety

The CDU wants to fundamentally overhaul Brandenburg's police law and give officers new powers, such as source telecommunications surveillance, online searches and automated license plate recognition. Officers are to be equipped across the board with body cameras and tasers. The requirement to wear name tags is to be scrapped.

The police should be allowed to do more. For example, they could secretly monitor computers and phones. Cameras should read car license plates automatically. All officers should get body cameras and tasers. Officers would no longer have to wear name tags.

For internet and cybercrime, source telecommunications surveillance, online searches and, under certain conditions, body cameras inside private homes are to be permitted. Automated license plate recognition is to be used to prevent threats. Body cameras and tasers are to be rolled out across the force to improve de-escalation and protect officers. Equipment is always to meet current standards. Mandatory name tags are to be abolished and information blocks for exposed officers made easier.

The CDU wants to expand the state police by 500 to 9,000 positions by 2029. Hiring standards are not to be lowered, and training capacity is to be fully used. Technology and artificial intelligence are to relieve officers of routine paperwork.

Brandenburg should get more police officers. By 2029 there should be 500 more jobs. Then there would be 9,000 jobs. Applicants must still be well qualified. Computers should take over office work from officers.

Qualification requirements for new hires are not to be lowered. Training capacity is to be fully used so that new recruits keep coming and the average age falls. The bachelor's program for senior officers is to become a "Bachelor's in Protective Policing," supplemented by specialized training for detectives. Automation and AI are to reduce paperwork. A state police museum is also to be established.

The CDU wants to create a "Märkische Grenzpolizei" (Brandenburg border police) as an additional unit of about 100 officers within the riot police. It is to carry out mobile checks and be deployed wherever reinforcement is needed. The program cites rising crime in eastern Brandenburg and illegal migration.

Brandenburg should get its own border police. About 100 officers would be part of it. They should do checks on the road. They should act against illegal entry, theft and smuggling.

The new unit is to be part of the riot police and add one extra company of about 100 officers. It is to be equipped for more mobile checks. Its focus areas are illegal migration and people smuggling, burglary and theft, drugs and smuggling, and car and machinery theft. The program points to crime statistics for the eastern part of the state.

The CDU wants to counter all forms of extremism through prosecution and prevention, especially in schools. The Verfassungsschutz (domestic intelligence agency) is to receive more powers, particularly online. The program names right-wing extremism as the biggest current problem, but also sees left-wing extremism, Islamism and foreign disinformation as threats.

The CDU wants to act against all extremists. Every crime should be punished. Schools should teach more about the dangers. The Verfassungsschutz should be allowed to do more. It is a secret service that protects democracy.

The law governing the Verfassungsschutz is to be amended so that new or growing forms of extremism can be investigated more effectively, especially online. Besides new legal powers, the agency is to get more staff and better technology. The program argues that extremists increasingly spread content via social media and that there are disinformation campaigns from abroad. Every extremist crime is to be consistently prosecuted.

The CDU wants Brandenburg's domestic intelligence agency (Verfassungsschutz) to aim for about 200 positions and to modernize its technology. Police and intelligence should stay separate, but share more relevant information.

The Verfassungsschutz watches enemies of democracy. The CDU wants about 200 jobs there. The agency should get modern technology. Police and intelligence stay separate. But they should share more information.

The program sets 200 positions as the staffing target. Technology is to be upgraded, especially to deal with online extremism. An expert panel would cover all forms of political extremism, with a focus on religiously motivated extremism. Exit programs such as "WageMut" are to be expanded, and the "Tolerantes Brandenburg" alliance developed in the same direction.

The CDU wants to press for data retention at the federal level. It is meant to help prosecute child sexual abuse and online hate crime.

Data retention means phone and internet records are stored for some time. The CDU wants this at the federal level. It wants to fight child abuse better. It also wants to fight online hate.

The demand is directed at the federal government. The program names fighting child abuse and online hate crime as the goal. In addition, asset confiscation is to be expanded, including against terrorist financing and organized crime.

The CDU wants crime victims at the center of state support. Victim assistance is to be expanded and better connected.

Crime victims should get more help. Victim support groups should get regular money. Children should get special protection. Dangerous offenders could have to wear an ankle monitor.

Victim support associations are to receive regular funding. A central contact point for victims and relatives is planned for major disasters. After serious violent or sexual crimes, therapy and support during trials should be available quickly. Childhood Houses are to protect abused children. The new state law against domestic violence is to be applied strictly, for example with electronic ankle monitors in high-risk cases.

The CDU wants to turn the state fire academy in Eisenhüttenstadt into a state office for civil protection. It also wants a Brandenburg security strategy for crises such as pandemics, military aggression or sabotage.

The CDU wants a new office to protect people. It should be in Eisenhüttenstadt. It would combine fire and disaster protection. Brandenburg should get a plan for crises.

The office would combine fire protection, disaster relief and civil defense. A security strategy is to improve coordination between federal, state and local levels. Cooperation with relief groups such as the Red Cross, DLRG and THW is to grow. Crisis management is to become part of civil-service training, schools are to teach about civil protection, and a master's program is to be created. Warning systems are to be expanded and volunteers recognized, for example with extra leave days.

The CDU wants to better protect energy, water and data networks against sabotage, terrorism and attacks. This includes more video surveillance, fewer data protection hurdles for security agencies and a new cybersecurity institute.

Power, water and internet should be better protected. There should be more video cameras. Police should get data more easily. A new office should handle internet security.

A new register is to map vulnerable hubs of energy, water and data supply and serve as the basis for a state strategy. Plans include structural protection, alarm systems and regularly updated emergency plans. Data protection hurdles for police and security agencies are to be reduced. A "Brandenburg Cybersecurity Institute" would pool responsibilities, protect government IT and advise local governments, businesses and citizens.

The CDU wants to keep funding fire protection with at least 40 million euros a year. Volunteer fire departments are to get modern equipment and better training.

Fire departments should keep getting money. It should be at least 40 million euros a year. Their equipment should be modern. Schools should offer firefighting classes.

Funding is to be at least 40 million euros annually. Active volunteer firefighters are to get preference for local government jobs if equally qualified. A second training school site is to be built quickly. Firefighting is to become an elective in grades 9 and 10 at secondary schools statewide. Flood and wildfire protection are to improve, for example through more water supply points and special vehicles.

The CDU wants a dedicated child protection law for Brandenburg centered on children's welfare and health. To fight abuse, it would expand prevention and victim support and give investigators source telecommunications surveillance, data retention and online searches.

The CDU wants a law to protect children. Children should be safer from violence. Police should get more powers. For example, they could monitor phones and computers.

Safeguarding plans against sexual abuse would be implemented in daycare centers, schools, youth services, hospitals and disability services. The "Child Protection in Sports" seal would be expanded. Doctors would be able to share information when they suspect violence or neglect. Confidential evidence collection after sexual offenses would be developed for victims under 18 as well. Abuse and mistreatment of children would be prosecuted rigorously, including through expanded investigative powers.