Karl Walker looks back over 23 years in the police force

As recently reported, Karl Walker handed over responsibility for the Zug police force to Thomas Armbruster, the former having served 23 years in all, the last 15 as chief constable.

When asked how he felt on leaving this role, the 62-year-old said it was not without some sadness, after all, he had greatly enjoyed his job, and he was pleased to be able to cite a number of successes the force had achieved.

As to what he will miss the most, he said this would be the contact he enjoyed with his colleagues.

When asked what major changes he had noticed in all these years, he mentioned the increase in population of the canton and the increase in traffic. In those early days there was no special provision for dealing with cases of domestic violence, economic and cyber-crime, nor forensics. For him another big change was the fusion of the city and cantonal forces, in which he was involved as a project leader.

Walker also made sure there was even greater cooperation between the force here and police in other cantons, whether this be in relation to traffic, crime, security or dealing with hooligans. As also recently reported, all police forces in central Switzerland now wear the same uniform and carry the same firearms. In addition to this, Walker was also co-responsible for harmonising IT within the various forces of the whole country, something which helped, for example, in cooperation with the other emergency services.

Walker also went on to mention how much administration was a time-consuming matter these days, due in part to amendments to criminal law. Then there was greater demand to provide legal assistance relating to inter-cantonal and international matters, not to mention increased demands made on the force by individuals and politicians.

One pleasing development he mentioned was that, as also recently reported, some police sub-stations in the canton will now remain open, rather than having to be closed through cutbacks.

Looking back, what experience do you most look back on with pride?
“The anti-World Economic Forum demonstration in the city a few years ago where no damage was caused at all.”

As to more sad memories, he mentioned cases where four members of the police force had died. “The more you know such people, the worse it is,” he said. “Officers who experience bad situations naturally take them home with them. This is why it is important to have the opportunity to talk about them as a team. I did not want officers to develop a hard skin and not be empathetic in such situations.”

In all these years, Walker’s job determined his routine, so he is now looking forward to being master of his own timetable at last, and looking forward, too, to spending four years touring the world in his camper van with his partner. At present he is getting this prepared, while at the same time sorting out his office at home. Then he wants to increase his level of fitness, something he has neglected of late. In addition, he wants to read more and brush up his foreign language skills.