Berne Bern cantonal council brings amended police law into force

The Bernese cantonal government is bringing the partially revised Police Act and Police Ordinance into force on August 1, 2024. No referendum has been held, as the cantonal government announced on Wednesday.

In the government's opinion, an appeal lodged with the Federal Supreme Court does not stand in the way of entry into force. The government is thus referring to a complaint filed by the Bernese Democratic Lawyers Bern in collaboration with left-wing parties and the organizations grundrechte.ch and humanrights.ch. Among other things, they criticized the new provisions on automatic vehicle searches.

With the entry into force of the Police Act, data relating to recorded vehicle license plates can be stored for up to 60 days. In order to protect the rights of those affected, the government wrote in the press release that strict requirements would be set as to when data may be analyzed. In addition, rights to information and an independent supervisory body are provided for.

Bern's Grand Council passed the Police Act last November with a large majority. Provisions such as the aforementioned retention period were controversial in the council debates.