Racism and Experiences of Discrimination in Police Contacts – Empirical Findings from Germany

• In Event: Policing and Racism in Germany: Empirical Insights and Critical Reflections

Abstract

So far, racism within the German police has only been partially explored, with existing studies primarily focusing on police officers’ attitudes while largely overlooking the perspectives of those targeted by racist police practices and attitudes. To fill this gap, we draw on recent data from a representative quantitative survey of individuals aged 18–49 in selected major cities in East and West Germany, which has been collected in 2025.
Our findings provide comprehensive insights into perceptions and experiences of racial discrimination by the police as well as the psychological and social consequences for those affected. Applying Procedural Justice Theory as a criminological framework for understanding police–citizen relations, we examine whether systematically negative and procedurally unfair police encounters may indicate (actual) racist discrimination. Racism is thereby conceptually linked to the idea of intersectionality and group-focused enmity, allowing for the consideration of other forms of inequality as well. This study addresses a critical research gap, as such experiences have not yet been examined through a comprehensive quantitative approach in Germany.

Authors

• Amelie Nickel, University of Applied Sciences

• Eva Maria Groß, Hochschule Polizei Hamburg

• Anabel Taefi, Hamburg Police University

• Ilka Kammigan, University of Applied Sciences of the Hamburg Police