German police come across as fairly unassuming compared to the law enforcement officials of other countries. Due to their nation’s history, many Germans have a natural aversion to authority figures and the police often appear at pains not to seem heavy-handed. Most officers are easily approachable and ready to help. They might be armed, but their frumpy appearance is anything but intimidating. Perhaps that will change now that all German police forces are in the process of ditching the baggy green uniforms and white hats they’ve worn for years for newly tailored dark blue ones. The switchover – to be more in line with their European law enforcement colleagues – is a gradual one, so Berlin police will be decked out in both green and blue for the next few years. In a similar change, police cars in Berlin can have either green or blue markings. Police don riot gear for major demonstrations, including each 1 May, when there is a tradition of anarchist violence in places such as Kreuzberg. In recent years they have followed a policy of de-escalation before getting out the water cannons and batons.