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A change at the top that is more than just a formality: Criminal Director Tobias Murch has been introduced to his new position in the Fulda Police Department. At the same time, long-time leader Hans-Dieter Blum was said goodbye. He moves to Frankfurt.
Fulda – Police Chief Michael Tegethoff made it clear in his speech that such occasions go far beyond protocol procedures: “Such moments are not just of a purely formal function, but a piece of appreciation.” It is particularly pleasing that the transition was seamless.
Change at the top of the Fulda Police Department
Blum, who was at the helm for nine and a half years, can look back on a long and varied career. The 50-year-old from Kalbach started as an intern with the Hessian riot police in 1997, then studied and joined the III. Riot police department. This was followed by positions at the police headquarters in Southeast Hesse before he took on management responsibility and finally returned to East Hesse. There he initially headed the Vogelsberg Regional Criminal Investigation Department and later the Vogelsberg Police Department. Since 2021 he has led the Fulda police department – initially acting, final from January 2023.
Tegethoff recalled that his term in office was marked by numerous challenges: large-scale lockdown measures during a bomb search at Rauschenberg, several large-scale pandemic demonstrations, high-risk football games and evacuations after a bomb was found at the Gallasiniring. Events such as a large gathering of the Hells Angels in Neuhof or the introduction of a weapons ban zone in Fulda were also among the “markers”. Tegethoff praised Blum's leadership style: “You always put people at the center.” Leadership means more than organization – it's about attitude, orientation and trust.
He described Blum as reliable, empathetic and decisive. The Kalbacher was communicative, always available and open to change – and also retained a sense of humor. Now the self-confessed Eintracht fan is drawn to the Frankfurt Central Directorate, “where the music plays”.
With Tobias Murch, an experienced police officer takes over the management. The 44-year-old from Lower Franconia also began his career in the riot police. After various positions at the police headquarters in Southeast Hesse and at the Hessian State Criminal Police Office, he completed studies for the higher service, which he completed with a master's degree. This was followed by management positions in Offenbach and Darmstadt-Dieburg and most recently at Criminal Inspectorate 10 in Frankfurt.
Murch is taking on the responsibility in a challenging time: increasing social expectations, complex operational situations and a high number of crimes and traffic accidents characterize the work, said Tegethoff. Around 200 employees and around 230,000 residents in the district fall under his area of responsibility. There are also numerous events and gatherings – the next big challenge is already upon us with the Hessentag.
Mayor praised cooperation between city and police
Fulda's mayor Dag Wehner (CDU) also praised the close cooperation between the city and the police. This is “probably unique” in Hesse and has proven particularly useful in crisis situations. Blum has always designed this partnership on an equal footing. Addressing Murch, Wehner was confident: He would meet an efficient management team and a strong network.
Blum himself looked back gratefully on his time in Fulda: The region is characterized by a special mix of manageability, diversity and cohesion. Security is created here through the interaction of many actors – from the police to the judiciary and civil society.
His successor continued this. For him, the focus is also on people – combined with respectful interaction with one another, explained Murch. He is looking forward to taking over a functioning directorate and tackling the upcoming tasks together. Especially in times of growing challenges, it is more important than ever to show that the police and politicians are capable of acting: “This shows that our democracy works.”
