Germany’s Police Force Faces a Language Barrier: A Growing Crisis?
Berlin’s police force is grappling with a significant challenge: a substantial number of potential recruits are failing basic German language proficiency tests. Recent data reveals that nearly 40% of applicants in 2024 and 2025 – 4,271 out of 10,874 – failed the German language test. Even among those with higher education qualifications (Abitur, Fachhochschulreife, or a completed university degree), almost a third (30.1%) fell short.
The Impact on Recruitment
This linguistic hurdle is directly impacting the police force’s ability to meet its recruitment goals. In the previous year, a quarter of the 1,224 available training positions remained unfilled, a situation directly linked to the language test failures. The ability to write reports, communicate with citizens, and understand legal frameworks are fundamental to policing, making strong German language skills non-negotiable.
“An Alarming Trend” – Concerns from Education Officials
Berlin’s Education Senator, Katharina Günther-Wünsch, described the situation as an “alarming downward trend,” attributing it to deficiencies within the Berlin education system. She emphasized the need to strengthen foundational skills in German and mathematics, stating that these competencies should be mastered by students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.
The issue isn’t necessarily tied to applicants’ migration backgrounds, according to available data. Both applicants with and without a migration background demonstrate similar rates of failure on the language tests.
The Police Diktat: A Key Test
The language assessment involves a “diktat” – a dictation exercise – where applicants listen to a passage of approximately 200 words read aloud at a deliberate pace. The threshold for failure is set at 14 errors. Practice materials are available on YouTube, offering applicants a means to prepare. An example sentence used in the test is: “Mario ist seit über zehn Jahren Polizist bei der Polizei Berlin und hat in dieser Zeit viele Einsätze erlebt.”
Even those who pass the initial language assessment often require additional German language support during their training. More than half of each cohort of recent recruits receive supplementary language instruction in small groups.
A Lack of Dedicated Preparation Courses
Interestingly, the Berlin police do not offer dedicated preparation courses for the language exam. Instead, applicants are expected to take the initiative and prepare independently, reflecting an expectation of self-motivation for those seeking a career in law enforcement.
Over the past six years (2019-2024), 97 recruits failed the final German language exam during their training, and four police students were ultimately dismissed due to language deficiencies.
FAQ
Q: What percentage of police applicants fail the German language test?
A: Approximately 39.3% of applicants fail the German language test.
Q: Is this a new problem?
A: No, officials have noted a consistent “downward trend” in language proficiency among applicants over several years.
Q: Does migration background play a role in these failures?
A: Available data suggests there are no significant differences in failure rates between applicants with and without a migration background.
Q: What is being done to address this issue?
A: The Education Senator is focusing on strengthening German and mathematics education in schools. Recruits too receive additional language support during training.
Q: Are there resources available for applicants to prepare for the language test?
A: Yes, practice materials, including example dictation exercises, are available on YouTube.
Did you know? The police dictation test assesses not only spelling and grammar but also the ability to process and accurately record information under pressure.
Pro Tip: If you are considering a career in German law enforcement, prioritize strengthening your German language skills, particularly in areas like formal writing and comprehension.
What are your thoughts on the challenges facing Germany’s police recruitment? Share your comments below and join the discussion!
