Police in Berlin have dissolved an elite personal-protection unit after suspected alcohol use by officers assigned to the highest-ranking United States diplomat in Germany.
The officers belonged to Schutzgruppe LKA 61 and were responsible for the security of Alan Meltzer. The 63-year-old chargé d'affaires has led the US Embassy in Berlin since July 2024.
According to Bild, disciplinary consequences followed internal reports from police employees. The suspicion was that officers had consumed alcohol during their service. People in police circles said Meltzer himself invited the bodyguards to alcoholic drinks and encouraged joint drinking sessions. Personal misconduct by the diplomat has not been established.
A spokesman for the police leadership confirmed to Bild that disciplinary measures had been started and that the protection command concerned had been dissolved. He said no further details could be given.
Personal protection at the State Criminal Police Office follows strict rules, including a total alcohol ban and a zero-alcohol requirement at the start of duty. Officers are also expected to stay ready for deployment and to keep a professional distance from the person they protect.
The US Embassy did not comment on the specific allegations against the chargé d'affaires and referred internal matters to the police. An embassy spokesman said the mission had full confidence in the professionalism of the LKA and in its ability to protect senior US representatives.