MAGDEBURG, Germany – Police are struggling to keep pace with criminals who have a significant data advantage, according to a top official.
Police forces are reportedly ill-equipped to handle the sheer volume of data generated in the digital age.
Police admit technological disadvantage
- Police union criticizes outdated technical equipment.
- Software like Palantir’s Gotham is used in three German states.
- Criminologists question the predictive power of data analysis.
Alexander Poitz, deputy federal chairman of the police union, stated, “As security authorities, we have not yet arrived in the 21st century.” He added that law enforcement can no longer master the “mass incidence of data” and is currently powerless against criminal elements who can exploit this. This admission comes amid discussions about the need for better data integration and technological capabilities within police forces.
German states using AI for data analysis
The software Gotham, developed by Palantir, is already in use in Bavaria, Hesse, and North Rhine-Westphalia. This artificial intelligence-powered tool can link and evaluate information from various databases, offering a significant advantage in complex investigations. Poitz cited a recent success involving the attack on the Israeli consulate in Munich. He explained that “certain perpetrators could be determined through an automated data evaluation, a communication could be determined and an action security for the colleagues could be established.” This allowed the Munich police to manage and resolve the situation relatively quickly.
Concerns over crime prevention effectiveness
However, criminologist Tobias Singelnstein expressed skepticism about the ability of such analysis programs to actually prevent crimes. He highlighted the difficulty in predicting future events, stating, “I think that the new forms of data evaluation, which promises in particular, will help us very well.” Yet, he also commented that the concept of a “Commissioner Computer” is essentially “science fiction when we look at the criminological state of research.” This suggests a debate is ongoing about the practical applications and limitations of advanced data analytics in law enforcement.
