Berlin police chief receives death threat with force's own bullet after reform push
Berlin police chief inspector Oliver von Dobrowolski has received a death threat containing a live 9mm bullet from the force's own stockpiles. The letter, which called him a Kollegenschwein (a derogatory term for a colleague who betrays others), demanded he stop speaking out publicly. Authorities have since advised him to take leave due to the seriousness of the risk.
Von Dobrowolski, a well-known advocate for police accountability, co-founded Better Police, an organisation pushing for independent oversight of law enforcement. He has repeatedly criticised what he describes as a culture of unaccountability and a lack of self-criticism within the force. His outspoken stance has made him a prominent but controversial figure among colleagues.
The threat arrived in a letter, and investigators later confirmed the bullet originated from Berlin Police inventory. While the incident led to a medical certification of unfitness for duty, officials rejected classifying it as a line-of-duty injury. Von Dobrowolski suspects the attack may have come from within a circle of officers resistant to scrutiny and protective of misconduct.
The case follows a pattern of intimidation against critical officers. Since 2020, at least 15 documented incidents of threats or violence against whistleblowers have been reported, including the 2021 attack on an officer in Berlin and the 2023 threats against another whistleblower in Hamburg. Von Dobrowolski has expressed deep unease, suggesting the threat may have come from someone close to him.
State security authorities have urged him to step back temporarily, citing the immediate danger. Despite this, he remains determined to continue his advocacy, though the situation has left him feeling unsafe and exposed.
The incident has raised concerns about internal resistance to reform within Germany's police force. Investigators are still working to identify the source of the threat, while von Dobrowolski's case highlights the risks faced by officers who challenge the status quo. His temporary leave underscores the ongoing tensions between accountability advocates and those opposed to external oversight.
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