Changing of the guard in Braunschweig: New police chief Thomas Ring takes over!

Changing of the guard in Braunschweig: New police chief Thomas Ring takes over!

Today, June 30, 2025, a remarkable change will take place at the top of the police department in Braunschweig. Michael Pientka, who worked in various positions in the police service for over 46 years, is retiring. Pientka, who has been police chief of the Braunschweig Police Department since July 2013, is leaving a formative mark on the region. He originally joined the Lower Saxony police in 1982 and has since held important roles in the Hanover Police Department as well as in the Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office and the Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior.

During his time as police chief, Pientka not only helped shape the police's internal leadership structure, but also worked intensively to promote citizen proximity and trust in the police. When he said goodbye, the Lower Saxony Minister for the Interior, Sport and Digitalization, Daniela Behrens, praised his achievements. She recognized his exceptional leadership and social skills and expressed her trust in the newly appointed Police Chief Thomas Ring, who will take over the management of the Braunschweig Police Department from July 1, 2025. Behrens notes that Ring will master the task of further strengthening the public's trust in the police.

The new police chief

Thomas Ring has proven himself in various positions over the years. Since 2013 he has worked as vice president of the Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office and from 2018 as police chief of the Lüneburg police department. When he takes office as police chief in Braunschweig, Ring brings with him more than 20 years of experience in various leadership positions, which gives him a solid background for his new role. He began his career in 1999 in the senior criminal police department, which has already taken him to various important areas in the country, including the Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior between 2007 and 2013.

A solemn farewell

Pientka's farewell took place in a celebratory setting in the conference rooms of the Braunschweig Police Department, to which numerous guests were invited. The event was not only an opportunity to look back on the successes of the past few years, but also to take a look into the future. The media was also invited to accompany this transition live. The registration period for the event ended on June 25th, and interested citizens had the opportunity to register via email. Anyone who had questions about the event could contact the public relations department of the Braunschweig police.

With the change in the police department, a new era began that brings with it both challenges and opportunities. In the context of changing social demands, it will be crucial that the police are seen as a guarantor of security and order. The new police chief Ring has already announced that he will actively address these challenges and work to further build trust between the population and the police.

For further information about Thomas Ring and his new tasks, you can read the Lower Saxony Police website. Details about Roger Flade are also provided there, who has been police chief of the Lower Saxony Central Police Directorate since April 2024 and also has extensive experience.