Hamburg police chief Falk Schnabel is planning to move to Cologne

The Hamburg police are undergoing extensive leadership changes. Police Chief Falk Schnabel is expected to leave the Hanseatic city in spring 2027 and return to North Rhine-Westphalia for family reasons. At the same time, Timo Zill takes over the office of police vice president. He succeeds Mirko Sfahrer, who is retiring after 43 years of service.

Schnabel was recommended by a search committee for the city of Cologne for election as deputy for security, order and law. The 57-year-old is to take over the management of a newly established department there. The Cologne city council will decide on his appointment on October 8th. If Schnabel is elected, he will be moving next spring.

Until then, Schnabel will fully carry out his duties as Hamburg police chief, the interior authority said. A decision on his successor should be made at the beginning of 2027.

Schnabel took over the office from Ralf Martin Meyer in November 2023 after he retired. Previously, the lawyer was, among other things, senior public prosecutor and police chief in Cologne.

Schnabel's time in office in Hamburg included, among other things, the development of a joint criminal prosecution strategy between the police and the public prosecutor's office, the establishment of a network for personal risk management and the expansion of the police drone defense. In addition, there was the construction of a new police operations center and measures to strengthen security around Hamburg Central Station. Most recently, Schnabel led the federal-state working group “Football without Violence” on behalf of the Conference of Interior Ministers.

Interior Senator Andy Grote said Schnabel had “led the Hamburg police excellently” and set an important course for internal security. He respects the police chief's decision, which was made for personal reasons.

Schnabel himself referred to family reasons for his planned move. Despite his deep ties to Hamburg and the police, he cannot ignore them. He described the office of Hamburg police chief as a “great privilege”.

Timo Zill follows Mirko Sfahrer

The change has already taken place in the position of police vice president. The previous head of the police, Timo Zill, is taking over from Mirko Streiber. According to the police, the 54-year-old is the highest-ranking police officer in Hamburg. Together with Schnabel, he will initially be responsible for the further development of the authority with more than 11,000 employees.

Sfahrer left the police service at the age of 60. He began his career in 1983 in middle service. He later completed two career advancements and took on various management positions. Among other things, he headed the State Criminal Police Office and worked as a police press spokesman for several years. He has been police vice president since 2022.

Schnabel praised Sfahrer as a leader who has shaped the Hamburg police for decades. At the same time, he said he was looking forward to working with Zill. However, this is now only short-lived.