Monitor Aggression - Equipping Police and Federal Police with Body Cameras - Enhancing Safety Measures: Equipping Police and DB Security with Body Cameras
In the heart of Germany, Hamburg has taken a significant step towards enhancing safety on its public transportation system. Since late 2024, a weapons ban has been enforced on buses and trains, and the use of body cameras has been introduced as part of a broader initiative to combat increasing incidents of disrespect and attacks.
The journey began in June 2015 when the Davidwache at the Reeperbahn received the first shoulder cameras as part of a pilot project. This was followed by the equipping of DB Security employees in Hamburg with body cameras for the first time in the summer of 2018. The Hamburg Hochbahn Watch also plans to embrace this technology in the future.
The body cameras serve a dual purpose. They not only document and secure evidence but also have a de-escalating effect in critical situations. The cameras are designed to be visible, and their use must be announced. A red light on the camera indicates that it is recording.
However, the Hamburg Data Protection Officer has raised concerns about the possibility of pre-recording, as it could potentially record conversations from a greater distance. To address this, body cameras must be used in a way that ensures transparency and respects privacy.
The use of body cameras has been expanding beyond Hamburg, with the entirety of Germany adopting this measure since then. Police officers at both the state and federal levels have been equipped with cameras for several years. Since 2024, DB Regio has also equipped its on-board personnel nationwide with cameras on a voluntary basis.
Despite the widespread adoption of body cameras, the direct impact on addressing violence on public transportation in Hamburg is not yet comprehensively documented. Hamburg Police have been involved in incidents where body or action cameras have played a role, but specific details on their impact are scarce. Similarly, there is no direct or recent public data on DB Security specifically using body cameras in Hamburg on public transport.
Recent statistics indicate a concerning trend. The Deutsche Bahn recorded 3,324 attempted and completed physical assaults on its employees last year, an increase of almost 6% compared to 2023. In the last six months, the Federal Police recorded 296 acts of violence at Hamburg Central Station, six more than in the same period last year.
Transport Senator Anjes Tjarks (Greens) and the Head of the Hochbahn Watch, Normen Wiegand, will present the project on Monday, offering a chance for more insights into the initiative's progress and its impact on public safety in Hamburg. As the rollout of body cameras continues, it remains to be seen how effectively they will contribute to a safer environment for passengers and staff on Hamburg's public transportation system.
[1] Social media post reference: [Link] [2] Livestream reference: [Link] [3] Broader police technology and innovation conferences reference: [Link 1], [Link 2] [4] Hamburg-specific results are sparse: [Link]
- As the Hamburg Hochbahn Watch prepares to adopt the use of body cameras, the community is encouraged to follow the presentation by Transport Senator Anjes Tjarks, the Head of the Hochbahn Watch, Normen Wiegand, for updates on the initiative's progress and its potential to enhance safety on public transportation.
- In their pursuit of a safer public transportation system, Hamburg has been exploring various technology solutions, with the adoption of body cameras being one such example. Interestingly, this technology is not exclusive to Hamburg, as it has been widely adopted across Germany and even extended to DB Regio's on-board personnel nationwide. However, the direct impact of body cameras on combating violence and disrespect remains to be fully documented and evaluated.
