Swiss cantons struggle to recruit more police officers

Several Swiss cantons want to expand their police forces, but finding suitable applicants is proving difficult, SRF reported. Population growth has increased workloads, including the number of accidents and administrative tasks, while the criminal procedure code introduced several years ago has added up to 20 percent more work, according to Max Hofmann, secretary general of the Swiss Association of Police Officers.

Hofmann said the police profession had become less attractive. An association survey found that many officers were overworked, with a lack of work life balance cited most often. Respondents also mentioned low wages and the police forces’ damaged public image.

The canton of Bern has nevertheless managed to fill all its vacant positions for the first time in years. Gregory Zwygart, a media spokesman for Bern Cantonal Police, said the force had redesigned its recruitment campaign, introduced new career profiles and made it possible to complete police school part time.

One of the new roles is police case officer. People in this position are trained specifically for internal duties, such as conducting interviews, writing reports and evaluating evidence. Their work relieves officers assigned to duties outside the police station.

The example of Bern shows how flexible training models and new career profiles can help recruit additional staff. However, the canton is already drawing up further expansion plans and will soon need even more employees.

Police schools are also feeling the increased demand. The number of prospective officers has doubled over the past 10 years, said Alex Birrer, director of the Intercantonal Police School in Hitzkirch, the largest police training and further education centre in Switzerland. Police forces from the cantons of central and northwestern Switzerland train their recruits there, with around 400 candidates currently attending each year.

Hitzkirch will soon launch three training courses a year instead of two. Other police schools are also expanding their capacity. The training places should therefore be available, but it remains unclear whether enough applicants can be found.