In response to prolonged wait times for out-of-stock uniforms, police officers in Bavaria, southern Germany, have resorted to a unique method to highlight their predicament - and not 'waist' any more time.

In a viral video posted to YouTube, two officers are seen in their police vehicle discussing the subject. "How long have you been waiting," asks one of them. Four to six months, respectively, they say, before stepping out of their BMW to reveal they are without their uniform trousers.

It may seem like an April Fool's joke, but Jürgen Köhnlein, the chairman of the Bavarian DPolG, directly addressed the issue, saying it was a serious matter and equates the chronic shortage of uniforms to a lack of respect towards police officers.

Waiting times for caps, jackets and pants can take up to 21 months at this stage, Köhnlein stressed.

The union is urging the state Interior Ministry to promptly resolve the issue, even if it entails additional expenses. They stress that since 2020, the concern has shifted from uniform quality to availability.
Acknowledging the problem, a spokesperson from the Interior Ministry attributed the supply chain disruptions to be the main cause of the issue.

Delivery logistics were previously outsourced, but will now be taken over by the State.

Despite reassurances from the Ministry that officers can still perform their duties using alternative uniform elements, Köhnlein said new recruits are currently undergoing training without the proper uniforms.