Brave police officer in Pinneberg: criminals wanted to run him over!

Brave police officer in Pinneberg: criminals wanted to run him over!

In an impressive act, a 53-year-old police officer from Pinneberg courageously defended himself against fleeing criminals. They tried to run him over with their vehicle while they were fleeing. The officer's efforts, which risked his own life, were recognized with a special award. However, such bravery is not the only focus of current discussions surrounding police. According to police data, attacks on emergency services have almost doubled in the last five years, raising questions about the safety of law enforcement officers and revealing societal tensions.

But what dynamics play a role in these attacks? A new study from the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main entitled “Violence in Office” takes a critical look at the issue of police violence in Germany. Awareness of police violence has come into focus, particularly since the death of the African American George Floyd in the USA. The study defines police violence as excessive or inappropriate use of physical force by police officers and identifies numerous forms, including punches, kicks, and unlawful arrests. Young men in particular are often the affected groups.

The causes at a glance

Research shows that in police operations, a lack of communication, stress and excessive demands on officers can often lead to violent situations. The shortage of personnel in many departments and discriminatory behavior are also contributing to the escalation, according to criminologist Tobias Singelnstein. When officers' authority is challenged, they are more likely to use force, which is often considered normal in police culture. Such behavioral patterns can only be broken through a fundamental change in training and how police interact with each other.

The study surveyed over 3,300 people affected by police violence and analyzed how often they were confronted with excessive force in conflict situations such as demonstrations or football games. The results impressively show that over 70% of those affected are male and many sustained serious injuries. Even in meetings with the police without physical confrontations, many of those affected have suffered psychological damage.

The path to improvement

Reform of police training is urgently needed to address the problems mentioned. The lawyer Christian Mertens urgently advises those affected by police violence to document incidents and, if necessary, take legal action. Human rights organizations can provide support to raise public awareness of such abuses. The study believes it is essential to improve communication within the police and give those affected a stronger voice.

Given the increasing violence against police officers and the challenges in dealing with violence within the police ranks, it is even more important to find a balanced and fair solution that protects both the safety of emergency services and citizens. It remains to be seen what concrete measures will be taken to uphold human rights principles and rebuild a trusting relationship between the police and the population.