Due to the increased threat of terrorism, security became a very special international task. The deployment of international police officers ensured that tourists from different nations had police contacts on site.
During the Olympic Games, 15 police officers from North Rhine-Westphalia supported the French police (Police nationale) in Lacanau, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Melun, Nice, Saint Etienne, Bordeaux and Marseille.
The majority of their deployment involved patrols, language support and victim support. This was made possible by the "Prüm Treaty", an agreement to intensify cross-border police cooperation.
Kristina Kilb from Cologne Police Headquarters was assigned to the Police nationale in Marseille for two and a half weeks. Soccer and sailing competitions were held there. Her main task was to support her French colleagues, particularly on competition days with German athletes. As a contact officer, the 34-year-old was responsible for both the German fans and the head of security for the DFB women's national team. The German women's national soccer team played three matches in Marseille.
In addition, Kilb was called in when German tourists became victims of crime. There were often surprised faces at the sight of the North Rhine-Westphalian uniform. Many tourists were fascinated by the European idea and the international cooperation between the police forces.
"This assignment was an absolutely enriching experience - for me personally as well as for my French colleagues and the German tourists on site. The French colleagues were very courteous and grateful for the support they gave us, especially on a linguistic level," says Kristina Kilb about her Olympic assignment. "We were able to discuss topics such as self-protection, mission management, the legal situation, organization and material equipment. Despite all the differences between our countries and cultures, it became clear that we share similar issues and challenges in our work." In Germany, France, Spain and Romania, drug offenses, property crimes and violent crimes are among the everyday tasks.
This was Kilb's fifth assignment in France, but the first time she had worked with the Police nationale. She had previously worked with the Gendarmerie Nationale. "Such an international large-scale operation in France with so many different foreign police forces was also new to me. The international flair with tourists from all over the world and police officers from different countries was truly unique," she says.
