In Conversation with Jochen Kopelke: A Voice for Victims’ Rights in Policing

In Conversation With Jochen Kopelke: A Voice for Victims’ Rights in Policing 

In this interview, we sit down with Jochen Kopelke, the Chair of the German Police Union (Gewerkschaft der Polizei, GdP)—one of the largest police unions in Europe, representing around 210,000 members across Germany. The GdP plays a central role in advocating for the interests of police personnel while also championing reforms aimed at improving victim protection and support within law enforcement. 

As a prominent member of EU.Pol, the European Federation of Police Unions, the GdP under Kopelke’s leadership actively participates in shaping cross-border policies and best practices. In this conversation, Kopelke shares his insights on the evolving challenges facing law enforcement—particularly in the digital era—and outlines the critical need for greater empathy, institutional cooperation, and European-wide harmonisation in victim support efforts. 

Marina Kazakova, VSE: Jochen, what do you consider the most pressing challenges law enforcement agencies face when it comes to providing victims with comprehensive support in Germany and across Europe?  

Jochen Kopelke, GdP: The most pressing challenge we as police officers face is the digitalisation and increasing internationalisation of crime. Decentralised, online-based criminal strategies lead to a higher number of victims across multiple countries. The German police are not yet adequately equipped to counter this development. We need a modern and standardised IT infrastructure across federal and state levels, contemporary investigative tools and legal powers, as well as IT harmonisation with the judiciary and public prosecutors. In addition, we require accessible and user-friendly online reporting portals nationwide. It is evident that our demands will be particularly effective if implemented at a European or international level, leading to further harmonisation.  

Another key issue is the continued transformation of the police in light of societal changes and trends—such as demographic shifts, growing economic disparities, and increasing complexity of policing tasks. We must adapt and become more diverse to meet the needs of an increasingly pluralistic society. If we succeed, this will foster trust in our work and promote the establishment of more effective, victim-oriented policing.  

For survivors of sexual violence, the establishment of an EU centre to prevent and combat sexual abuse would be an important and urgently needed step—from the perspective of both survivors and law enforcement. Such a hub could finally offer affected individuals a reliable, direct point of contact to help them assert their rights and make their voices heard at the European level. Furthermore, it is crucial that adult survivors are granted the ability to effectively and permanently remove abusive content circulating online. This is a right that should be enforced consistently and without limitation.  

Marina Kazakova, VSE: How do you view the relationship between police forces and victim support organizations in Germany? In your opinion, what improvements could be made to enhance this collaboration?  

Jochen Kopelke, GdP: The relationship certainly has room for improvement—and things can always be better. Perhaps all parties involved are still too focused on their own perspectives. Engaging in dialogue promotes mutual understanding of each other’s situations, challenges, and also the limitations we face.  

From our perspective, institutionalising the exchange between police and victim support organisations would be a meaningful step forward. As a union with national and international reach, we also see opportunities to effect positive change at various levels. One thing is clear: victim protection must always take precedence over protecting the perpetrator. This is something policymakers, law enforcement, victim support organisations, and we as police representatives must work on intensively, both nationally and across Europe.  

Marina Kazakova, VSE: In your role, how do you advocate for policies or reforms that better address the needs of victims, both within the police force and at the national level?  

Jochen Kopelke, GdP: With around 210,000 members, we are a strong and influential voice for police employees. We maintain dialogues with politicians, the media, and of course, with police authorities—at all levels. Our expertise is recognised and valued. Victim protection holds a prominent place on our extensive agenda. It’s also important to remember that police officers themselves can become victims.  

Our commitment goes beyond the national level. Together with our European umbrella organisation EU.Pol, we work on cross-border improvements in many areas, including victim protection. A concrete example of GdP work on victim protection was a joint event held by the Hessian Ministry of the Interior and the GdP under the title “Politics meets Police Practice: How do we strengthen the EU and its Member States in the fight against child sexual abuse?”. The sexual abuse of children and adolescents is, in my view, one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. Such abuse shatters the trust and safety that children should experience in their environment. The consequences are profound and long-lasting. Our goal is to protect them as effectively as possible and ensure that they are not further harmed by inadequate protection or repeated trauma during investigations.  

Marina Kazakova, VSE: What role does police training play in ensuring that officers understand the complexities of victim support, and are there specific areas where you believe training could be improved?  

Jochen Kopelke, GdP: Police training plays a key role in ensuring officers understand the complex needs of victims and are able to respond empathetically and professionally. That’s why sensitisation and training programs for police officers should be expanded to emphasise the importance of treating victims appropriately and respecting their needs. Officers need to better understand how their own communication can positively influence victims. We must provide strong support to victims. Only a diverse, well-equipped police force can deliver high-quality service to the public.  

Marina Kazakova, VSE: Victim support systems often vary widely across Europe. How do you think the National Framework for Comprehensive Victim Support could help standardize and improve victim assistance across member states?  

Jochen Kopelke, GdP: As mentioned earlier, we are engaged in European union work. We believe it is essential to develop best-practice models and roll them out internationally. We are working toward this for Germany. Progress will be made when victim support is recognised as a core function of police work—and when sufficient resources are allocated to enable the implementation of victim-oriented measures. Ideally, this should apply across all of Europe.  

Marina Kazakova, VSE: What challenges do you see in balancing the needs of law enforcement with the rights of victims, especially when it comes to ensuring both justice and empathy in police interactions?  

Jochen Kopelke, GdP: A central concern is to avoid so-called secondary victimisation—situations where victims are retraumatised or burdened again through police or administrative processes. No one should feel as though they are being victimised a second time, whether through lack of sensitivity, impersonal behaviour, or thoughtless remarks.  

This “no-go” must be viewed in direct contrast to victims’ individual needs in coping with the crime—such as compassion, empathy, understanding, counselling, support, restitution, and appropriate punishment of the offender. When interacting with the police, many victims— rightly—expect more than a mere factual recording of events. Victims must never be made to feel like just another case number.  

What urgently needs to be avoided are a lack of empathy, dismissive comments, expressions of doubt, or even victim-blaming. That’s why we insist on the principle: professionalism and empathy are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, they go hand in hand. The tension between objective investigation and respectful treatment of victim needs must be resolved as much as possible.  

There’s also room for improvement in the creation of victim protection spaces in police stations. Some facilities already have dedicated rooms designed to provide a safe, supportive environment for victims. Unfortunately, this is not yet the norm. These must be made standard across the country. For child witnesses especially, judicial video interviews would be helpful. The “Barnahus” model—also known as “Childhood Houses” in Germany—must be more widely implemented. This would prioritise not just truth-finding, but also the well-being of the child throughout the investigative process.

Marina Kazakova, VSE: From your experience, what are some best practices or success stories in Germany where police forces have successfully collaborated with other agencies or civil society organizations to improve victim support services?  

Jochen Kopelke, GdP: It’s crucial to keep victims effectively away from perpetrators—particularly in cases of domestic violence or stalking. Contact bans, exclusion orders, eviction from the home, and temporary custody are well-established and effective tools. Victims can also seek protection under the Domestic Violence Act. Electronic ankle monitors appear to be an effective measure as well.  

However, there is still a lack of widely accessible shelters for victims and low-threshold counselling services, especially in foreign languages. We also need 24/7 availability of all relevant authorities, including judiciary and youth welfare offices. Cooperation with key stakeholders— such as victim support organisations and social workers—must generally be improved.  

For the police specifically, we need specialised units focused on victim services. These units could specialise in certain victim groups or types of crimes, build expertise, provide continuous support, and act as points of contact for other officers.  

Marina Kazakova, VSE: How do you think public perceptions of police and the justice system affect the willingness of victims to report crimes and seek support? What role can police unions play in addressing these perceptions?  

Jochen Kopelke, GdP: We consider the impact to be very significant. When the police send the right signals and act in a demonstrably victim-oriented manner, it encourages victims to come forward. Victims must not fear being stigmatised, treated without respect, or having to relive the crime over and over again.  

That’s why it’s important to offer multiple points of access to support. As a union with a strong public presence, we make a point of calling out shortcomings and necessary improvements—both nationally and across Europe. As part of the political and media discourse, we must consistently highlight the victim’s perspective. Doing so increases pressure on legislators to initiate concrete changes.