Jürgen Schmidt: Gifhorn's criminal investigation expert and contemporary witness to the crime

Jürgen Schmidt: Gifhorn's criminal investigation expert and contemporary witness to the crime

What does Jürgen Schmidt actually do? This name is known to many in the region because he was the police chief in Gifhorn for 25 years. Today, in 2025, the man born Peiner, who was born in 1954, is enjoying his retirement to the fullest. Traveling and being with his seven grandchildren are currently at the top of his agenda. However, Schmidt is not only perceived as a family man. The media regularly asks him about criminal cases in which he particularly distinguished himself during his time on duty. The WAZ, for example, reports that Schmidt is in demand as a contemporary witness and expert when it comes to dealing with crimes from the past that still concern many people today. WAZ reports that ...

At the beginning of his term in office in 1992, Schmidt had to contend with a particularly tragic murder case: the body of a 16-year-old, who had previously been missing, was found in the Elbe Lateral Canal. This was just the beginning of a series of brutal crimes that marked his time as police chief. His best-known cases include the torso murder in 1999 and the triple murder in the allotment garden in 2008. Such incidents were not the norm, but they left their mark on the city and on Schmidt's memory. He himself said that the collaboration with the media during this time was always characterized by trust and respect.

The crime situation in Gifhorn

But what about crime in Gifhorn in 2024? The numbers speak for themselves. According to police crime statistics, there were 4,262 crimes per 100,000 inhabitants in Gifhorn, which seems relatively low compared to the lower total of 6,485 crimes in Lower Saxony. Schmidt notes that during his active time, especially in the 1990s and 2000s, there was a significantly higher crime rate, especially burglaries. These changes in the crime situation are also accompanied by an increased feeling of security among the population, even if Schmidt is skeptical whether he would go to the police again today. He has the feeling that the support and respect among the population has decreased.

Solving individual criminal cases is an important task, and the numbers in Lower Saxony's crime statistics also show that the situation has changed over the years. A look at the [statistics of the state of Lower Saxony](https://www.lka.polizei-nds.de/startseite/ criminalitat/statistics/polizeiliche_ criminalstatistics_2024/polizeiliche- criminal statistic-des-landes-niedersachsen-fur-das-jahr-2024-117995.html) shows the developments and challenges that the authorities are confronted with.

Life after the police

Schmidt has decided to enjoy his new freedom. A special experience that remains in his memory occurred during a trip to South Africa. There he and his wife were approached by German tourists who recognized his voice. It is obvious that his influence and his name are known beyond the borders of Lower Saxony. He is currently planning to take part in a live podcast from the Hillerser Cultural Association in the fall, where he will share his experiences and stories from his time as a police chief.

The numerous double murders and other explosive acts that he witnessed remain part of his biography, but he seems to have found contentment in retirement. His grandchildren, traveling and occasionally passing on his knowledge to interested listeners are now his main activities.