Personnel Offensive Shows Effect: Applications to the Police Have Increased
The police's personnel offensive seems to be having an effect. Since 2022, both applications and admissions have increased by 80 percent, said Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) at a press conference on Friday. Two years ago, 6,500 people applied, this year it was 11,500. This year, 2,600 people were admitted to basic training - in 2022 it was 1,450.
"Like all employers, we aim to understand and win over Generation Z and Generation Alpha," said the department head. Karner attributes the increase to a "mix of measures". During training, there is now more salary, the climate ticket, and the opportunity to get a driver's license. In addition, the regulations for visible tattoos have been relaxed, which no longer have to be a criterion for exclusion. In addition, the police's new recruits are also to be won over with social media campaigns.
Applications to the Police Have Also Increased in Vienna
There was a particular need for personnel in Vienna and Vorarlberg, which is why additional recruitment measures were needed there, explained the Interior Minister. Nevertheless, a positive balance was drawn for the capital. There were 350 Vienna police students in 2022, now there are 845. Two application offices were previously established in Vienna, with recruiting teams being sent to schools, for example.
Modern equipment and protective measures should also make the police profession more attractive. A focus "on technical equipment, on prevention work, on IT investigation and IT forensics" was emphasized by Franz Ruf, Director General for Public Security. There will be a total of nine training centers for cybercrime in Austria in the future.
Federal Police Director Michael Takacs announced that there will be new patrol vehicles at all stations within the next three years. A modern impact and stab protection for the executive officers has also been procured.
(APA/Red)
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