Berlin police are encountering difficulties in recruiting sufficient German-speaking officers, a situation exacerbated by a high rate of failure among migrant applicants in language proficiency tests. Barbara Slowik Meisel, president of the Berlin police force, stated that 40% of applicants did not pass the German language skills assessment, posing a significant challenge for the department which is in urgent need of new personnel but cannot compromise on standards.
"We have applicants, but we also have high standards that we cannot lower," Slowik Meisel told local media. "[As police officers] we have to explain our police actions day in and day out... and also possibly document things in writing."
Approximately a quarter of the 1,200 entry-level positions have remained unfilled since 2025. The police force is facing intense competition for qualified candidates. In the spring of 2025, over half of the 240 cadets who began training required additional German language support. Currently, 37% of Berlin's police force comes from a migrant background, the highest proportion in Germany.
Applicants are required to pass written tests on a computer, dictation exercises, and grammar assessments. They must also demonstrate a firm grasp of Germany's fundamental legal principles and be able to communicate them to the public.
The broader discussion around migration and its impact on Germany has intensified, particularly with upcoming elections in the eastern part of the country. In the period from January to November 2025, Germany recorded 106,298 first-time asylum applications, indicating a significant decrease from the 229,751 applications received in 2024. The federal police registered 62,526 illegal entries last year, half the number from 2023. Approximately 75% of the 33,000 individuals who attempted to cross the border between May and December were either denied entry or escorted back.
While the government attributes the decline in immigration to its policies, the exact causes remain complex. Factors such as shifts in geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and enhanced border policing measures by Poland have also contributed to a reduction in migrants entering the European Union via routes like Belarus and the Balkans. Concurrently, a mild but prolonged economic recession has made Germany a less attractive destination for migrants compared to its neighboring countries.