BERLIN, GERMANY
Liz and Heidhues 11.20.2023
I learned today that cops behavior is the same worldwide.
Whether in Berlin, where we are in the midst of our German excursion, or in San Francisco.
A Berlin native told us her 85 year old mother had her flat broken into during the weekend.
Apparently the intruders motivation was not robbery. They were just looking for a place to sleep in chilly rainy Berlin.
When our acquaintance called the Berlin police on behalf of her mother, she was told the cops were not available. Turkish president Erdogan was in town. That was the priority.
The victim, 85, was told she could file a report on line.
Instead our acquaintance traveled to the neighborhood police station to file a report. She was given a report number on behalf of her mother.
At their convenience a couple of officers made a visit to the site of the break-in.
The cops decided it was not a major issue worth pursuing further.
Sounds like the police in our home town. San Francisco.
Except for several important differences.
In Berlin, the starting salary is approximately $50,000 yearly. In San Francisco the starting salary is $103,000 yearly plus benefits.
In Berlin 🇩🇪 prospective police officers undergo three years of training before being admitted to the department.
In San Francisco training is only 34 weeks before recruits become crime stoppers.👮♂️👮♀️
Lee's Perspective 