Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony reject Hamburg's permanent blue police 'presence light'
While Hamburg equips patrol cars with a constant blue 'presence light' to increase visibility, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony have no plans to follow, citing concerns over effectiveness and federal uniformity.
Hamburg's pilot
Hamburg is Germany's first state to test a permanent blue light on police vehicles. The so-called police presence light (PPL) is a dimmed, steady blue LED at about 30 percent of the normal brightness, mounted on the light bar. Unlike the flashing emergency blue light, it imposes no legal requirements on other drivers. The goal, according to Hamburg police, is to sustainably increase the visibility of patrol cars and boost the subjective sense of security among citizens. The concept draws on examples from France, Spain, and the United States, where similar "cruise lights" are already common.
Saxony-Anhalt fears diluted warning effect
The interior ministry of Saxony-Anhalt sees no reason to introduce such a light. A spokesman said: "The introduction of the so-called blue police presence light for patrol cars is not currently planned in the Saxony-Anhalt state police." Officials argue that patrol cars are already sufficiently recognizable thanks to their specific markings. The ministry also expressed concern that the constant use of a blue light might reduce the warning impact of the traditional flashing emergency light. Nevertheless, the state will follow Hamburg's pilot with interest to learn from the experience.
Saxony opts for uniformity
Similarly, Saxony has no current plans to emulate Hamburg. The interior ministry in Dresden pointed to a technical guideline for patrol cars that aims to ensure a largely uniform appearance nationwide in terms of both technology and optics. A spokesperson said such a presence light had not been requested by Saxony's police officers. "Police is a state matter with its own competence," the ministry stressed, emphasizing the decentralization of German policing.
Other states also hold back
Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony are not alone. According to reports, interior ministries in Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia have also decided not to join Hamburg's pilot. The debate highlights the federal structure of German police forces, where each state makes its own decisions about equipment and tactics. A spokesman for Saxony-Anhalt said the state would monitor Hamburg's results "with interest" to potentially apply any lessons locally. For now, the traditional blue emergency light remains the sole standard for active interventions.
