PW-2-2026

Learning and Development

Visit to Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany By Trevor Campbell , Region 2 I had the privilege of spending a very enriching week with Polizei Baden-Württemberg in Germany, an invaluable opportunity to exchange policing practices and knowledge, organised by the Hochschule for Policing in Villingen-Schwenningen and the International Police Association of Baden-Württemberg. T he five-day programme was designed to showcase each aspect of Federal Policing in Germany to facilitate conversation around common policing practices and to learn different policing practices During the visit, I had the chance to spend time at the amazing officer development institution at Villingen-Schwenningen Hochshule. This is where they train 2000 officers each year to develop the practical and technical skills needed to become Police Officers but also providing the academic sciences required in the formal qualification. that each service undertakes. Whilst there are some minor differences in legislation, the common aim is clear and their use of mobile technology to enhance front line policing is a priority, as it is here.

To progress through the ranks, officers undertake different levels of further academia to achieve promotion. They attend the Hochschule at each stage of the promotion process, which provides not only the skills needed for leadership roles, but also the academic qualifications needed for the roles they will eventually undertake. I had opportunity to visit many departments including the Water Police, the Criminal Investigation Departments, Control Centres, custody suites, Autobahn Police and several Police stations, most notably the Wasenwache Polizei, which is a Police Station at the Cannstatter Volksfest, Stuttgart - the home of the world’s second largest Oktoberfest each year. They receive over one million visitors to the festival over a two-week period and the temporary Police Station serves as a command centre, solely to manage the massive Police operation. Following this I had the pleasure of experiencing the Oktoberfest in all its glory where I was convinced to wear a Lederhosen for the evening. There will be no photo of this! I was given the chance to drive (if that is the correct term) the Police Boat through Lake Constance, go on patrol with the Autobahn Police at hair raising speeds, meet with the heads of the Kriminalpolizeidirektion, which is similar to our C-Departments, in that it has separate departments that focus on murder investigations, organised crime gangs, human trafficking, drugs and child abuse. I also visited all the other different departments that make up Policing in Germany.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 71 No.2, 2026