By Axel Lier
Once again, the police leadership has to intervene at the Alex guard station in Berlin-Mitte: There is a bad atmosphere between officials, and colleagues have complained about their bosses. The authority reacted immediately and even set up a working group to clarify the situation.
In July, two police officers sat down at a table with their service group leader. “They were fed up,” as an official now reports to the BZ. There has been a rumor among colleagues for months. The reason: bad leadership, lack of communication and injustice.
Police spokeswoman Anja Dierschke dismisses BZ: In one case, there is said to have been “contact made too early after a night shift” – meaning: too short rest periods. Officially, however, no further criticism or formal complaints are known.
Nevertheless, a working group was set up to analyze the situation. Chief of the group is the head of the leadership service of Section 57, which includes the Alex Watch. The preliminary result is now available. Spokeswoman Dierschke: “The situation analysis has shown that in no other area of the agency were comparable points of criticism or even criminally relevant.”
Unusual: Nevertheless, all colleagues were now offered external psychological support (supervision) – with the involvement of the police conflict management advice center. It’s about communication, duty scheduling, supervision and group behavior. “Dates are being planned, but not yet set,” says Dierschke.
The Alex Guard last hit the headlines a year ago. Police officers at the station were raided in June. The trigger was a 21-year-old who wanted to file a loss report in mid-July 2021 and was said to have been attacked and beaten by police officer Said I. Four other officers are said to have supported him and covered up the crime.
Five officers were therefore investigated for assault in office, persecution of innocent people, coercion and deprivation of liberty. The bully policeman Said I. had been in custody for months at the time of the raid – it was about his cooperation with an international cocaine smuggling gang.
The Alex guard was opened at the end of 2017 and is a prestige project by ex-Interior Senator Andreas Geisel (SPD).