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Germany's Police Launch Digital Patrol to Boost OSINT Capabilities

A new era of policing begins as Germany's law enforcement harnesses OSINT to combat digital threats. Meet the specialists leading the charge.

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2 min read
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Germany's Police Launch Digital Patrol to Boost OSINT Capabilities

North Rhine-Westphalia’s police force is stepping up its digital capabilities with a major push into open-source intelligence (OSINT). The initiative, named Digital Patrol, aims to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to gather and analyse publicly available online data. Specialised units have been formed to support rapid-response operations, particularly in cases involving national security risks. The project began with an expansion of the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) in Düsseldorf. Fabian Coenen, a 42-year-old heading Subdivision 22.2, now oversees a team of 16 OSINT specialists—up from just two in earlier years. His unit includes IT experts, sociologists, and political scientists, all focused on politically motivated crime.

Across the state, nearly 100 officers from six regional police forces have joined the effort. Ten new recruits were added to the LKA, with six assigned to Coenen’s team. Among them is Laura Ellrich, a 28-year-old who joined the state protection division in 2022. Her work involves tracking and analysing online threats as part of the *Digital Patrol* initiative. Training plays a key role in the programme. Marc Restemeyer, a 37-year-old instructor at the State Office for Training, Professional Development, and Personnel Affairs (LAFP) in Neuss, leads the education push. He developed a web-based training (WBT) programme tailored for police and government staff. The courses teach officers how to extract and assess information from social media and other open sources. One of the first trainees is Jannik Doktorowski, a 39-year-old detective chief inspector from Bielefeld. Since 2021, he has worked in state security in East Westphalia and is now part of the inaugural *Digital Patrol* training group. His focus is on advanced OSINT techniques for tracking fast-moving political events with security implications. The six specialised units under this initiative provide both routine OSINT research and emergency support. Their role is critical in responding to dynamic situations where quick access to online intelligence can influence outcomes.

The Digital Patrol project marks a significant upgrade in North Rhine-Westphalia’s law enforcement tools. With expanded teams, targeted training, and a focus on real-time intelligence, the police are better equipped to handle digital threats. The initiative reflects a broader shift toward integrating OSINT into everyday policing and national security strategies.

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