Inter-Agency Coordination to Protect Public Spaces: An Example from Bavaria

At the initiative of the University of Applied Sciences for Public Service in Bavaria (HfoeD), the PRECRISIS Project is launching a series of interviews to illustrate good practices in coordination and cooperation across different institutions, aiming at a better level of protection of public spaces.

We are happy to present the first conversation from this series, which provides an example from Bavaria. The PRECRISIS team has interviewed an Operations Management Police Officer, working for the Bavarian Police. For confidentiality reasons and given the specificity of the police work, the identity of the officer will not be made public.

Thanks a lot for your time. We appreciate that you agreed to be interviewed on the subject of inter-agency coordination to protect public spaces. First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your police background?

Thanks for your interest in this subject! I joined the police 30 years ago and have worked in Munich the whole time. For 15 years I was the leader of a unit entrusted with different kinds of police operations, from investigating murder to searching lost pets. After that, I was in a group that set up operations, e.g. at the Munich security conference, soccer matches, or assemblies.

What is the police’s role in securing public spaces in Bavaria?

The Bavarian police as an institution has an advisory position in this domain.

What inter-agency coordination activities are in place?

There is coordination between the main security agencies, the city administration as a main part, the fire departments, the rescue service, and the police. The leading position belongs to the city administration. Meetings are mostly held between the municipal administration authority in charge of the region at stake and the local/community police. In these meetings, guidelines are laid out on how to implement the specific protective measures. The measures are of course in line with the respective legal boundaries.

In the event when a gathering is about to be held at a public space, a meeting between all relevant actors is organised. The stakeholders typically include the rescue service, fire departments, the organisers of the gathering, the administration authority entrusted with approving the request to hold the gathering, private security contractors, the police, etc. At the meeting, they discuss all the relevant points. If a gathering draws a crowd of more than 5,000 people, there is an obligation to have a security concept in place. Such security concepts address matters such as evacuation, public announcements, the number of stewards, the number of entrances and exits, and – last but not least – the chain of command.

Usually, security concepts are drafted by private sector players, mostly security contractors, and are then presented to the relevant government agencies that need to sign off on the proceedings.

What crucial non-government players are involved in securing public spaces?

It depends to whom the respective public space belongs, e.g. the place in front of the Allianz Arena belongs to the Bayern Munich AG, so the owner of the space or private security agencies are also involved.

How does the police/other government agencies coordinate with them?

There are dialogues regularly and on special occasions. On special occasions a common security concept is obligatory. The concept includes the tasks of the individual security authorities. Everyone is allowed to make suggestions und ultimately has to agree to the concept.

Can you tell us about preventive measures that are taken to protect Christmas markets and major public gatherings with a religious background/of religious groups? Are there guidelines regarding citizen behaviour – e.g. in terms of vigilance, in case of suspicious activities?

A threat assessment takes place before every Christmas market or similar event. Based on this and the experience from previous years, various protective measures are taken.

More broadly, what should be done to further security at public spaces?

More video surveillance, if possible – with real-time monitoring.

Thanks for this conversation!

I thank you too! Let me use the opportunity to with a happy and prosperous New Year to the PRECRISIS project team and to all your partners!