Bad Eisenkappel opens accessible new police station

Bad Eisenkappel has opened a new, accessible police station in a former hotel in the town centre, ORF reports. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner officially opened the 220-square-metre facility on Tuesday. It is also intended to serve as an operations centre during disasters.

The previous station no longer met current requirements, station commander Wolfgang Durchschlag said. The new premises are wheelchair-accessible and equipped for people with disabilities, with bright rooms and doors designed to be easy to use.

The station covers about 200 square kilometres, much of it alpine terrain. Motorcycle crashes and incidents on mountain passes are among the officers’ duties. Because the area is near the borders, cooperation with Slovenian and Italian colleagues is also important. Carinthia’s state police director, Michaela Kohlweiß, said that collaboration worked well at both operational and management levels.

Karner said the new station reflected a commitment to strengthening security in rural areas. In reference to the Peršmanhof case, which took place in the municipality, he said a commission appointed by the Interior Ministry had reached a clear conclusion. He also said police trainees would visit Peršmanhof and other institutions during their training, a practice he described as sensible and right.