The bad reputation of Austrian police - no surprise

Comment by Thomas Hochwarter

The Austrian police�s reputation has recently drastically suffered from a series of headline-hitting incidences, but it is the way officers act in day-to-day situations with citizens which harms the institution the most.

A 14-year-old supermarket burglar is shot dead in the middle of the night by police officers arriving on the scene, reportedly after failing to turn on the lights and waiting for back-up. While his severely-injured 17-year-old accomplice is jailed for three years, the two cops on the scene are back on duty as investigations into their actions continue.

This is just one of many recent cases which put the Austrian police in a bad light. Public opinion on the body is split: left-wing media accuse police of breaching laws by negotiating "deals" with prosecutors to ensure accused colleagues escape charges, while the right-wing leaders hail officers� efforts tackling soaring crime numbers and cracking down on "criminal gangs from Eastern Europe".

What however matters most to people is how they are dealt with by police officers in everyday life, in such unfortunate events as burglaries, assaults � or being caught breaking traffic laws.

Police in Vienna are especially in need of some self-promotion to improve their image � a fact confirmed again by an experience of the Austrian Times� news editor yesterday (Tues).

It would be less surprising if a policeman took a rather harsh tone in dealing with a crook � or, in this case, a cyclist breaching traffic laws (on Mariahilfer Stra�e 20 at 6.12pm, according to the 36-Euro ticket) � if the offender failed to accept the facts. But an officer with "the experience of 13 years" apparently needing to show off in front of his overexcited younger colleague about how unlucky a person has just been to be caught since he was just about to call it a day is nothing but sad.

While pity for the policeman is the cyclist�s dominant feeling after the incident, it is sad that police struggle to rid themselves of old-fashioned habits instead of adopting newer, different, ones in their dealings with people.

- - -

Vienna police declined to comment.

Austrian Times

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Susan Andrews wrote on 23. 12. 2009 from Upper Austria

Hugely disappointed by just one aspect of life in Austria. Having waited many years to be able to retire to Austria, everything surpasses our expectations, with the exception of the Police. A few weeks ago, I had omitted to place the park permit on the car dashboard - I had been in the post office for just three minutes. On returning to the car, there was a policeman who had appeared from nowhere, just putting his pen to the page ..."oh dear, (he laughed at me) I have just started writing". Some days later I was in a shop in the same area when a police car appeared, the occupants got out, did nothing except watch people running from the shops to place their parking permits on view. Some moments later, the police drove away. You will understand the fustration at this hypocrisy. This morning we had a house fire. The Fire Brigade personnel were very professional, and caring; the Red Cross represenatives were thorough in ensuring our well-being. The policeman? Am I really a criminal owing to the misfortune of having a house fire? The man who took our details was rude - no need for sympathy on an occaasion such as this, but courtesy would have been appropriate. An offer was made to write my name - he snapped that he could do it (he could not). His entire demeanour was unbefitting to his status. Through various channels, respect for the police is requested - this is not how respect is earned. We were warned, but, being accustomed to the 'English Bobby', we were not willing to believe what we were told. Sadly, we do now.

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police events colleagues assaults reputation breaching cyclist laws traffic scene burglar Austrian Vienna policeman jailed unfortunate crook promotion experience dealing

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