The Netpress news site, which specializes in reporting on crime and police actions, reports that police ranks are being decimated by recruiters offering well paid security jobs in Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom or Scandinavia.

According to Netpress, about 1.000 of the 11.600 Interior Ministry employees have taken out unpaid leave for temporary work abroad, while additional 4.000 officers have asked to be put on a waiting list.

The Ministry denied the report, without providing correct figures for the number of officers on unpaid leave.

Netpress insists that the police “gastarbeiters” include well educated professionals, some of them ranked sergeants. The demand across Europe is high and recruiters are eager to find experienced security guards.