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Trust in the police? Study reveals discrimination!
Prof. Dr. In their study, Sabrina Mayer and Lisa Walter from the University of Bamberg examine the influence of discrimination on trust in the police.
Trust in the police? Study reveals discrimination!
In Western Europe, trust in the police is dwindling, especially among immigrants and their descendants. A current study by the University of Bamberg, published by Prof. Dr. Sabrina Mayer and Lisa Walter shed light on the critical connection between experiences of discrimination and perceptions of the police. The research is based on data from the DeZIM.panel, a comprehensive representative survey in Germany in which 1,001 respondents with an immigration history were analyzed. Negative experiences with the police and everyday discrimination have a strong impact on trust in this institution.
The results of the study clearly show that discrimination in contact with the police leads to a significant decline in trust. Fair encounters, on the other hand, can strengthen trust. The influence of experiences of discrimination on trust is particularly pronounced among respondents born in Germany. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat discrimination and racism. The publication of the study is entitled: “Beyond police encounters: everyday racism and trust in the police.”
Discrimination in police actions
The topic is not new, but the urgency is underlined by the study “Police and Discrimination – Risks, Research Gaps, Recommendations for Action” by the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency. This shows that discrimination can occur in all areas of police action, be it during identity checks, filing reports or in custody. Independent Federal Commissioner Ferda Ataman emphasizes that consistent protection against discrimination can significantly strengthen trust in the rule of law.
Police Commissioner Uli Grötsch calls on managers to model a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination. Incidents of police violence and racial profiling not only damage trust in the police, but also in other state institutions. In addition to racism, the study also names factors of discrimination such as age, gender, religion, disability and sexual identity that need to be brought into focus.
Strategies for improvement
In order to improve the situation, the study formulated several recommendations for action. This includes revising police structures to make them sensitive to discrimination, mandatory training for officers and the establishment of independent complaints bodies. Furthermore, a review of existing legal regulations, particularly with regard to unfounded controls and digital technologies, is considered necessary. Ataman calls for increased cooperation between politics, police and civil society to create a fair and discrimination-sensitive police force.
Current incidents illustrate the problem: investigations against some police officers for right-wing extremist and racist activities have made headlines in recent weeks. North Rhine-Westphalia's Higher Administrative Court confirmed the dismissal of a police officer due to right-wing extremist posts, while the Osnabrück public prosecutor's office is investigating two officers who gave the Hitler salute and distributed racist photos. All officers concerned are no longer in service and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated.
The results of these studies take a critical look at the current situation within the police and highlight the challenges that need to be overcome in order to gain trust. It remains to be seen what measures will be taken to address the needs of affected groups and bring about real change.