German states report record police complaints and recruitment slump

In Saxony‑Anhalt, the interior ministry recorded 1,042 complaints against police in 2025 – an 18 % rise from the previous year – but only 94 (8.31 %) were deemed justified. Most complaints concerned officer behaviour and communication; only 13 involved alleged police violence and none were substantiated, and eight concerns about racism were also dismissed. The majority of filings (74 %) were submitted electronically.

In neighboring Saarland, police recruitment hit a new low in 2026 with just 697 applicants, the fewest since 2020. Applications fell from 849 in 2024 and 773 in 2025. Police unions blame low salaries and competition from better‑paid forces in Rheinland‑Pfalz, the federal police and customs, urging the state government to act.

Both states highlight growing challenges for German police forces, from public trust issues to staffing shortages.