NRW’s Taser Expansion Stalls as Budget and Political Hurdles Persist

A political standoff and missing funds leave NRW’s police without Tasers—despite studies backing their use. Will the Greens and CDU find common ground?

, and Administrator

2026 January 17 . 5:40 PM

1 min read

The image shows a black leather patch with a red cross on it, which is the logo of the German Red Cross. The text at the bottom of the patch reads "Bundeswehrkrankenhaus München".

Reul: Taser expansion would cost more than 12 million euros - NRW’s Taser Expansion Stalls as Budget and Political Hurdles Persist

North Rhine-Westphalia’s plans for a statewide Taser rollout remain uncertain. All required expert reports—medical, tactical, and social-scientific—have been completed, but no final decision has been made. The interior ministry is now in talks with the governing CDU and Greens, though no timeline exists for implementation.

The coalition agreement between the CDU and Greens initially called for studies on Taser use. These have now been finalised, but the Greens still hold reservations despite the findings supporting deployment.

Current Taser use in NRW is limited to just 18 of the 47 police authorities. A full statewide introduction would cost around €11.6 million—€2 million more than earlier estimates due to price increases and updated assessments. An extra €1.3 million would also be needed for training materials. The 2026 budget draft, however, does not include funding for a full-scale rollout. Marcel Hafke, the FDP’s interior policy spokesperson, criticised this omission, arguing it effectively rejects a statewide expansion. Meanwhile, discussions between the interior ministry and governing factions continue, with no set date for a decision.

Without allocated funds in the 2026 budget, a full Taser rollout in NRW appears unlikely for now. The interior ministry’s ongoing talks with the CDU and Greens have yet to resolve the issue. Any future deployment would depend on additional funding and political agreement.