Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Police Shootings Fall in 2025 as Germany Weighs Wider Taser Use

Federal officers are expanding a 300‑device trial under an October law permitting DEIG use.

Overview

  • Seventeen people were killed by police gunfire in 2025, down from 25 in 2024 but still above the ten‑year average, according to Cilip data.
  • The police union GdP argues that faster, broader access to Tasers would cut firearm use and is pressing for nationwide equipment of regular officers.
  • The Federal Police report positive results from the DEIG trial and plan to equip additional units based on operational needs.
  • State policies remain uneven, with Bavaria broadly equipped while Baden‑Württemberg moves from special‑unit use to limited patrol tests with about 40 devices.
  • Rights advocates and medical experts warn of health and misuse risks and call for strict limits, as high‑profile 2025 cases — including charges in Oldenburg and an investigation in Bochum — continue to face scrutiny.