Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung urges closer police and intelligence cooperation

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) has released a position paper calling for closer cooperation between German police forces and intelligence services to combat hybrid threats. The ten-page analysis, titled "Zeitenwende für das Trennungsgebot!" (Turning Point for the Separation Principle), argues that current security architectures must evolve to meet modern challenges.

A key recommendation is the adaptation of the "Trennungsgebot," the principle that strictly separates the activities of the domestic intelligence services from the police. The foundation suggests that police often encounter individuals or situations already known to intelligence agencies, but lack efficient ways to coordinate.

To improve efficiency, the KAS proposes implementing a technically standardized "hit/no-hit" query procedure. This would allow police officers to receive signals that information already exists elsewhere without requiring the direct transfer of sensitive intelligence. Additionally, the foundation advocates for increased sensitivity among field officers regarding espionage, sabotage, transnational repression, and foreign influence, recommending standardized reporting paths and new categories for "hybrid threats" within police processing systems.