The police contribute to security planning but do not grant permits or bear overall responsibility

At events, the police are responsible for their statutory hazard-prevention tasks. They may be involved in security planning, but this does not make them responsible for permits or for overall event security.

Competence and permits

Permits for events are the responsibility of the respective competent authorities. The police can contribute to these procedures their findings on the threat situation, expected disruptions and operational police concerns.

Three functions of the police

Three functions must be distinguished:

• Professional involvement: The police can assess security concepts from their professional perspective and advise the competent authorities. This does not automatically give them the power to prescribe specific security measures in a binding way.
• Statutory consent: For certain assembly venues, state regulations require the security concept to be drawn up in coordination. Where the police are to be included, their involvement has legally binding significance.
• Independent hazard prevention: Where the statutory conditions are met, the police can order measures within their competence. These must rest on a legal basis and be proportionate.

Situation assessment and operational security organisation

The police assessment of the situation must be distinguished from the operational security organisation of an event. In particular, responsibility for visitor guidance, safety announcements and the implementation of planned measures follows from the respective statutory competences and the event organisation that has been set up.

Police involvement replaces neither professional security planning nor the organiser’s responsibility.

Conclusion

The police have important hazard-prevention powers, but no general decision-making competence for event security. For legally sound cooperation, professional involvement, binding orders and operational responsibility must be clearly separated from one another.

More on this: Binding requirements and professional assessment in event security and Permanent venues and temporary events.

Note: research status 8 November 2026. General orientation; the statements have not been checked against the original regulations and do not include an overview by state. Not legal advice: the respective state law and the conditions in the individual case are decisive; in case of doubt, the competent authorities and specialists decide. No function, response time or certification of MOVETOS OPS is promised.