Change at the top: Ulm's new police chief takes office

Change at the top: Ulm's new police chief takes office

In a moving ceremony in Ulm, Baden-Württemberg's Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) retired outgoing police chief Bernhard Weber and appointed Josef Veser as his successor. Around 300 guests, including high-ranking police officers from Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria as well as politicians, came to witness this important moment.

Minister Strobl paid tribute to Weber's impressive 48-year career and emphasized how valued he was within the police force. He also noted with a wink that there are speculations that Josef Veser might have extraordinary abilities. “You must have a twin brother that you use on duty,” Strobl joked, given Veser’s constant presence on missions.

The new police chief in action

Josef Veser, 61 years old, has had an impressive career in the police. He has been in service since 1985 and has held numerous important positions, including head of the riot police operations department in Biberach and vice president of the Police University in Villingen-Schwenningen. His commitment and his handling of the challenges of the police service have already received high recognition, which the chairman of the staff council, Peter Vietz, confirmed with words of praise.

Bernhard Weber used his farewell speech to look back on his most formative experiences. He particularly remembered the tragic plane accident in Überlingen in 2002, when he was significantly involved in the operation as deputy head of the police department. “Corpses fell from the sky,” were his haunting words, which made clear the extent of the disaster with 71 dead, including many children.