Police trainee from Wels reported after attempted sexual assault on sleeping colleague

Confession and swift complaint

As police announced, the suspect confessed. "Nach Angaben der Polizei zeigte sich der Beschuldigte geständig", it was stated. The man is said to have confessed, police confirmed. The man was reported.

The security authorities responded immediately with a series of measures, according to their own statements. A restraining and no-contact order, a ban from the police academy premises, and a weapons prohibition were imposed on him without delay. The relevant information came from police spokesperson Michael Babl, according to police spokesperson Michael Babl.

The incident is causing unrest within police training in Upper Austria. Serious allegations are shaking the police academy in Wels. The training facility organizationally belongs to the Security Academy (SIAK) of the federal government.

Immediate measures against the suspect

Investigations into the case are in full swing. What is clear so far is that the alleged act is said to have taken place in a flat in Linz, where several police trainees stayed overnight after the party. The suspect is alleged to have attempted to assault his sleeping colleague.

In Austria, police trainees undergo a multi-year basic training program that also prepares them for operations and conflict situations. Strict eligibility criteria apply for admission to the police service, which also include an impeccable record of conduct and personal integrity.

According to the current state of knowledge, the suspect is a trainee at the Wels location. Wels is located in the central area of Upper Austria; the police academy there is considered one of the larger training locations in the state. The police initially provided no further details regarding the man's identity.

The initial criminal police investigations were already underway over the weekend. Investigations into the case are in full swing, the police emphasized. In addition to questioning those involved, evidence was apparently also secured, the analysis of which is still pending.

Employment relationship to be terminated

The Upper Austrian State Police Directorate assumes that he will leave the service on his own. The police assume he will resign himself; otherwise, this step will likely be taken by the employer. Should that not happen, the employment relationship is to be terminated by the employer.

The employment relationship is to be terminated. This would remove the suspect from police service regardless of the outcome of the criminal proceedings. Dismissal by the employer or a mutually agreed departure aims at the immediate removal of any function.

Weapons prohibition and conditions

In addition to the police measures, a weapons prohibition was issued. This means the suspect is initially no longer permitted to possess or carry firearms, even if he had previously only handled training weapons during service. The prohibition applies regardless of the outcome of the investigation.

The complaint of sexual assault will be further handled by the public prosecutor's office. The suspect is at large; the conditions of the restraining and no-contact order are intended to prevent any renewed contact with the alleged victim.

Victim protection organizations regularly point out in such cases that victims are entitled to psychosocial and legal process accompaniment. In Upper Austria, the victim protection group of the police is available for this purpose, among others.

Internal review and consequences

The Upper Austrian police directorate announced that the matter would also be fully reviewed internally. Should that not happen, the employment relationship is to be terminated by the employer – this line was also communicated internally. Consequences for supervisors or training officers were not initially made public.

The police asked that speculation be avoided and that the privacy rights of all involved be respected. The relatively short period between the incident becoming known and the complaint also attracted attention: The woman noticed the alleged assault, woke up, and immediately raised the alarm – a description that was particularly highlighted in the report.

The reporting on the case is based, among other things, on Krone Multimedia. Other domestic media also picked up on the incident. The police academy in Wels declined to comment further on the ongoing proceedings.

Outlook on the criminal proceedings

The criminal proceedings for sexual assault have not yet been concluded. Until a possible court verdict, the presumption of innocence applies to the suspect, even though he – as police confirmed – has confessed. The man is said to have confessed, police confirmed.

The incident is part of a series of incidents that have become known at Austrian police academies in recent months. Structural consequences – such as stricter selection procedures or entrance examinations – are currently being reviewed by the Security Academy (SIAK).

Police spokesperson Michael Babl overall referred to a swift investigation. Investigations into the case are in full swing, he said. The public would be informed about the progress of the proceedings as soon as this was compatible with the ongoing investigations.