As of: March 18, 2024, 7:08 p.m
By: Christiane Mühlbauer
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District Administrator Josef Niedermaier reports how employees of the district office are being threatened.
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The Tölz district administrator Josef Niedermaier reports on the conditions in some departments.
In some cases, employees in municipal offices are even threatened.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen
- At the citizens' meeting in Jachenau, District Administrator Josef Niedermaier reported on how employees in the district office are threatened and that the police often have to be called.
Kurier editor Christiane Mühlbauer asked him a few questions afterwards.
Mr. Niedermaier, do you still enjoy your job?
Yes, I enjoy my work and I try to do it to the best of my ability.
I know that this also applies to our employees in the district office, knowing full well that their actions and decisions, due to the nature of things, cannot always please everyone.
How does this manifest itself?
The focus of our tasks and services is the constant balancing between the common good and individual interests.
Here lies the crux of the matter.
Because when someone is dissatisfied, I notice that the tone towards the administration and politicians has become much more disrespectful and harsh.
It's a shame, because criticism could also be expressed objectively and in a manner that preserves decency.
Often the police even have to be called
How do you experience this specifically?
Our administrative staff enforce applicable law that was designed and came into being through democratic processes and therefore reflects the will of the people.
Employees in public administration are bound by this right.
You can only interfere with the rights of third parties on the basis of the law; acting against the law is not permitted.
There is no reason to behave aggressively, insultingly or threateningly towards an administrative employee.
The vast majority of citizens don't do that either, but there is a small, but in my opinion unfortunately growing, percentage who know no boundaries and apparently partly believe that they speak for everyone.
District administrator about threats and insults online
Where does this happen most often?
For example, unpleasant scenes happen again and again in the youth welfare office, the immigration office or even in the vehicle registration department.
Sometimes it is so violent in direct personal contact that the police have to be called.
Threatening scenes have also been set up privately.
Administrative employees are also sometimes severely targeted on the Internet.
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What will they do then?
We are currently addressing this with security and de-escalation training.
In order to regulate our party traffic, a visitor concept was developed.
This also includes security personnel being present, having a de-escalating effect and supporting the economic units if necessary.
What do you have to endure as a politician?
As a district administrator, I consciously take a position, represent an opinion and then, if necessary, have to deal with strong headwinds.
I'm not squeamish, but I admit it's sometimes hard to bear when people show up at your front door in the morning, shout slogans in your face or receive insulting emails that express nothing but contempt.
This is a personal level beyond any objectivity, and it's sometimes easier to deal with it.
What else is happening?
I am horrified at the frequency with which I am deliberately asked to break the law.
It is not unusual for people to struggle with regulations or laws, but it cannot be the case that people only accept rules if their own interests are not disturbed and otherwise go on the barricades in a way that is completely exaggerated.
Apparently it's primarily about the sovereignty of opinion, but no longer about the matter.
How are you supposed to discuss projects in such an environment, weigh them up and initiate them so that sensible decisions come out of them?
But that's exactly our job, to debate hard on the matter and maintain a fair tone in order to find a solution in the end.
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