Grand Ceremony for Police Recruits in Lower Austria: On October 7, 2026, a total of 149 policewomen, policemen, and police trainees were ceremoniously bid farewell or sworn in at the main square in Lanzenkirchen. 74 of them have successfully completed their theoretical basic police training and are now strengthening the police stations in the state. Another 75 recruits were sworn in for their future service.

According to the Lower Austria State Police Directorate, interest in the police profession remains high. For the 225 training places in 2026, there have been almost 1000 applicants so far.

The demand for police training in Lower Austria remains high. According to the State Police Directorate, almost 1000 people have already shown interest or applied for a training place in 2026.

This is contrasted by 225 admission places. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the police schools are fully utilized.

The numbers illustrate how much the demand exceeds the available training offer. Statistically, there are more than four applicants for each training place.

At the ceremony in Lanzenkirchen, 74 graduates of the theoretical basic police training were officially discharged.

They are to serve at police stations throughout Lower Austria in the future.

At the same time, 75 new recruits were sworn in. They are distributed across two courses of regular basic police training and an additional training course for the foreign and border police.

The ceremony was attended by, among others, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, State Police Director Franz Popp, Member of the State Parliament Franz Dinhobl, and Lanzenkirchen’s Mayor Bernhard Karnthaler.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner praised the decision of the young recruits to pursue a career in the police force during the ceremony.

„Police work means taking responsibility – for the safety of people and for our society,“ Karner explained.

According to the Interior Minister, the high number of applicants shows that the police profession enjoys great recognition.

State Police Director Franz Popp also emphasized the importance of well-trained and committed employees for security in Lower Austria.

An additional opportunity for police applicants is offered by the „Vienna for a Time“ initiative.

The model is aimed at individuals who wish to work long-term in Lower Austria but initially complete their police service in Vienna.

Selected applicants serve in the federal capital for five years. Afterwards, they are contractually guaranteed the opportunity to return to Lower Austria.

This is intended to give more applicants a chance at a police career, even if the direct training positions in Lower Austria are already filled.

The model is intended to benefit both Vienna and Lower Austria.

While Vienna initially receives additional police forces, experienced police officers are expected to transfer to Lower Austria after five years.

The regional police directorate expects this to provide long-term additional personnel reinforcement.

At the same time, the initiative aims to gradually reduce existing transfer requests from police staff from Vienna to Lower Austria.

The ceremony at the main square in Lanzenkirchen was attended by numerous relatives, friends, and representatives from politics, administration, and the executive.

The musical arrangement was provided by the Lanzenkirchen Music Association. After a blessing by the police chaplaincy, the event concluded with the state and national anthem.

For the 74 graduates, the next stage of their police career now begins. The 75 sworn-in recruits, on the other hand, are at the start of their training.

(Ed.)

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