The Austrian police’s cost-cutting measures are now affecting new recruits. Basic training classes in six federal states will be canceled in September, according to APA research. On Thursday, representatives from both blue- and red-affiliated police unions criticized the move. The Ministry of the Interior responded by stating that the staffing plan is “set by the federal budget law.” Internally, however, the canceled courses are causing discontent.
Specifically, no basic training classes will take place in Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia, Styria, and Burgenland this September. In Lower Austria, there will at least be a six-month border police course and a three-month course for border assistant training, as outlined in a letter sent to regional police directorates on June 17, which APA obtained. The letter refers to this as an “initial adjustment of the recruitment plan.”
Ministry: “All-Time Personnel High”
The “recruitment drive of recent years” has led to a current “all-time high” in the number of police officers, the Ministry of the Interior said in a new statement Thursday morning. However, it provided no data on how many officers are in active patrol versus in specialized units or administrative roles.
The ministry emphasized that every position vacated by retirement would be “replaced one-to-one.” It also noted that “all regional police directorates—except for Vienna and Vorarlberg”—currently have staff surpluses due to “forward-looking retirement forecasting.” The ministry acknowledged that local differences exist but stated that recruitment will now focus on Vienna and Vorarlberg.
In total, 1,500 new hires are planned for 2024 across all federal states to offset retirements. In the past two years, 4,200 officers were hired. Additionally, around 3,800 individuals are currently in basic training—reportedly the highest number of trainees ever, with training capacities nearly exhausted nationwide.
Training Still Offered in Vienna and Upper Austria
There were no details about the December training round. As of late June, the Interior Ministry’s recruitment website listed open positions only for foreign and border police in Lower Austria and for police training in Upper Austria and Vienna. The listing for September had not yet been updated as of Thursday noon.
Applicants affected by the canceled courses will be contacted directly, a ministry spokesperson told APA. A letter obtained by APA shows applicants were offered the chance to use their entrance exam scores—valid for one year—for training spots in Vienna or Vorarlberg.
Union Criticism Over Staffing Gaps
Steirischer union representative Jürgen Grill challenged the ministry’s claim that all retirements are being replaced. “So far this year, we’ve had 59 retirements and only 28 new hires. Based on current plans, that number won’t increase,” said Grill of the Social Democratic Union (FSG).
He said frontline units are “at their limit,” and the cuts are hurting both public safety and internal morale. He cited missed replacements during sick leave on weekends, canceled patrols in youth and community protection across districts, and reduced staffing minimums in Graz.
Cross-Party Union Backlash
Reinhold Maier, national chair of the AUF (Freedom Party-aligned union), criticized what he called “only 1,486 instead of the originally planned 2,466 new hires,” arguing that this cannot compensate for expected retirements. “This will inevitably lead to less presence,” said Maier, who is also a member of parliament for the FPÖ.
Walter Strallhofer, deputy national chair of the FSG, also condemned the cuts: “Eliminating training bonuses and classes makes the job less attractive—despite severe staffing shortages at police stations.” He added, “Cutting training today means compromising safety tomorrow. The Interior Ministry continues a failed staffing policy that’s decades old.” No comment was yet available from the Christian union faction (FCG).
Police Facing Broad Cost-Cutting Measures
Since spring, the police have been under sweeping austerity measures. Cuts affect overtime, operational expenses, construction projects, police bands, recruitment bonuses, public transport passes (Klimaticket), and free driving lessons for trainees. Basic performance bonuses may also be reduced. The ministry originally cited the delayed federal budget as the reason for the March cuts.
