Thomas Würgler, the former police commander of Zurich, has been appointed as the interim commander of the Basel-Stadt Cantonal Police.

This decision comes in the wake of a damning report by law professor Markus Schefer, which highlighted significant issues within the Basel police force, including a culture of fear, lack of trust in leadership, and incidents of racism and sexism.

Würgler, who will begin his role on September 9, 2024, is tasked with stabilizing the force and initiating a transformation process.

The Basel police are currently understaffed by about 100 positions, exacerbating the challenges they face.

Würgler's extensive experience as a prosecutor, lawyer, and military officer is expected to aid in addressing these issues.

The search for a permanent police commander will commence once Würgler has assessed the organization and worked with the Justice and Security Department to define potential leadership models.