Olaf Lindner

Olaf Lindner has been President of the Federal Police Directorate 11, which combines and oversees all of the federal police’s special forces, since 2017 and, from 2005 to 2014, was commander of the federal police unit GSG 9, which combats serious/organized crime and terrorism and is widely considered one of the best and most well-respected special units in the world.

Before being appointed President of the Federal Police Directorate 11, Mr. Lindner held numerous important domestic and international positions. Among others, he headed the department for the protection of dignitaries in the Federal Criminal Police Office and was president of the EU Atlas Association, which includes the special units of Europe. Furthermore, Olaf Lindner was involved in the reorganization of the federal police in the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Prior to his appointment as commander of GSG 9, Mr. Lindner served as the unit’s deputy commander for five years. Mr. Lindner began his career as a group and platoon leader in the German military.

Mr. Lindner obtained degrees in the higher police service, is alum of Harvard University’s executive program and completed training as parachuter and combat swimmer, among others.