Police under pressure: trust and doubts in times of criticism

Police under pressure: trust and doubts in times of criticism

The perception of the police in Germany is an ambivalent topic that keeps moving the minds. In public, a distinction is often made between a positive and a negative image of the law enforcement officers. Apparently, 81 percent of the population of the police trust, as a current survey shows, while at the same time it is confronted with sometimes violent criticism and disrespect, as the Berliner Zeitung reports. The image of the "good" and "evil" seems to fluctuate in society, depending on whether you are viewed as a victim or as a perpetrator.

The challenges of the police

In recent years, the role of the police has changed through numerous social developments. More and more young people are expressing concerns about disproportionate controls and are critical of police behavior. The case of George Floyd in 2020 also brought protests against police violence and racism in this country. The citizens use these incidents digitally to demand transparency and make grievances publicly. This persistent public observation ensures that every misconduct comes into the focus of the criticism, while at the same time the question of trust in the police is becoming increasingly complex.

As reported by the Federal Center for Political Education, the police are repeatedly exposed to questions of racism and abuse of power. While the majority of citizens appreciate the work of the police, many have the feeling that the authority of the institution is undermined. Study show that 26 percent of racism surveyed within the police sees as a major problem. This critical attitude illustrates the need that civil servants show transparency and continuously strive to trust the population. The police call must be defended without concealing or apologizing misconduct.

Berliner Zeitung