NCJ Number
131474
Journal
Kriminalist Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1991) Pages: 2-6
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The article argues that current West German crime problems will be increased by the reunification of Germany and suggests ways to meet the resulting challenges.
Abstract
The alarming rate of property offenses and vandalism in former East Germany will now add to economic, environmental, political, and drug offenses which threaten West Berlin and other West German cities. Aside from short-term, frantic activities after sensational offenses, politicians and the community as a whole have been too insensitive to these problems. Furthermore, the resentment that the police encounter among some West Germans such as journalists, artists, scientists will not decrease; rather the confrontation with the East German style police force, an uncritical servant of a totalitarian government, adds to the perception that the police are a threat to civil liberties. The answer to future problems is to increase police effectiveness through recruiting, recruit training, and advanced training. Above all, the police must maintain the distinction between the professional crime fighters and the more versatile, all-around police officers as presently exist in West Germany. Only a highly trained group of professionals can deal with the crime problems of a united Germany.