55 percent of Berlin police candidates do not speak sufficient German

55% of Berlin's police trainees require additional German language instruction. This need arose among 240 trainees who started their training in Spring 2025, with 132 needing language support.

The police attribute this situation to a shortage of qualified personnel and increasing diversity in training classes. They noted a decline in written language skills as a broader societal trend. Factors include rising school demands in German and media literacy, and a reliance on digital aids that diminish the motivation to learn spelling rules.

Ultimately, good language skills are crucial for police, as recruits must achieve C2 fluency before graduation.