Police Chief Thorsten Fleiß of Düsseldorf's 1300-strong force
In the heart of Düsseldorf, Police Director Thorsten Fleiß is spearheading a significant initiative to combat the complex drug scene in the Bahnhof district. The project, titled "Sicherheit im Bahnhofsumfeld" (SiBu), was launched in September 2024, in collaboration with the city, the police headquarters, and the federal police [2]. The aim is to enhance safety, cleanliness, and order within this critical area [2].
Since early 2025, Fleiß has been at the helm of the Directorate for Hazard Prevention/Operations, overseeing approximately 1,300 officers from various departments [1][2]. This role encompasses the city's three police stations, including the Central, South, and North stations [3].
In his role, Fleiß emphasizes the importance of digitalization in the work of emergency services. However, specific details about digital initiatives led by him are not readily available [4]. Nonetheless, he highlights the potential benefits of direct online recording of incidents, which can streamline the work of the emergency services [5].
Fleiß, who previously served as the head of the Central Police Station, is no stranger to the challenges Düsseldorf's citizens face. He has worked in the Ministry of the Interior for a total of eight years, with interruptions [6]. He believes that working in project structures, with close networking of various stakeholders, has been effective [7].
However, Fleiß has also observed a general coarsening of society, evidenced by disrespect towards police, fire, and rescue service personnel [8]. Despite this, he encourages citizens to call 110 if they notice anything suspicious [9]. Filing a complaint is also made easy for the citizens of Düsseldorf, with the option to do so online [10].
Fleiß considers Düsseldorf to be a safe city, but acknowledges that international changes can prompt immediate reactions from its citizens, often resulting in demonstrations and confrontations [11]. He is committed to maintaining this safety, especially through initiatives like SiBu, which seeks to uplift the Bahnhof district and provide a safer environment for all [2].
References: [1] Police Director Thorsten Fleiß [2] Sicherheit im Bahnhofsumfeld (SiBu) [3] Police Stations in Düsseldorf [4] Digitalization in Emergency Services [5] Online Recording of Incidents [6] Work Experience of Thorsten Fleiß [7] Project Structures and Networking [8] Coarsening of Society [9] Calling 110 [10] Online Complaints [11] Demonstrations and Confrontations
Fleiß, in his role as the Director of Hazard Prevention/Operations, is steering a business approach in his leadership of the SiBu project, aiming to improve finance and efficiency in combating the complex drug scene in Düsseldorf's Bahnhof district. Additionally, his experience in project structures and networking from his time in the Ministry of the Interior, would be beneficial in fostering collaboration between various stakeholders within this initiative.
