FOCUS: POLICE AND COLONIALISM
Police and Colonialism: An Introduction
by Dirk Burczyk
The history of police in the colonies of the 19th and 20th centuries is closely tied to the development of police as a central institution of „security and order“ in general. Colonial police forces were not simply copies of individual police models, such as the gendarmerie. As with colonialism in general, police work was characterized by racist attributions, disciplinary techniques and the enforcement of geostrategic interests..
The Sound of da Police. The Historical Roots of Police Violence in the USA
by Dominik Nagl
This contribution examines the historical origins of the American police and their roots in slave patrols. It shows how racist practices have shaped police structures from the colonial era to the present day, but also emphasizes that this is not the only explanatory approach. Police violence also targets economically marginalized groups, particularly poor white men.
Police Violence in German Southwest. The Mounted State Police for German Southwest Africa
by Marie Muschalek
The establishment of the police in German Southwest Africa (GSWA) took place after the genocide of the Herero and Nama in 1905. It was characterized by its task of enforcing colonial order and providing sufficient labor for white settlers. The use of violence was ubiquitous and self-evident, and its application was apparently based more on pragmatic considerations and police experience than on legal requirements.
The Cradle of the Surveillance Industry. The Colonial Roots of Technical Control Techniques
by Ingo Dachwitz
Even early on, European colonial powers used surveillance to serve their rule. With new techniques such as photography, fingerprints, and passports, they controlled the populations in the colonies. Even after independence, the former colonial powers profited from the business of surveillance.
„Generally Successful“? German Police Aid for Latin America in the 20th Century
by Fabian Bennewitz
This contribution analyzes the various forms of German police aid in Latin America in the 20th century. While initially informal expert networks dominated, which were requested by Latin American sides, police aid programs became a central instrument of West German foreign policy during the Cold War. The longue durée perspective reveals historical continuities and ruptures in security policy cooperation, showing that police aid contributed less to democratization and the rule of law than to stabilizing authoritarian regimes.
Colonial Revisionism after 1918. The South Sea Commemoration of the Württemberg Police
by Heiko Wegmann
After the end of German colonial rule, a colonial revisionist movement emerged, which also commemorated the colonial police. „Tradition companies“ emerged, which were dedicated to a specific colony, here the „South Sea“. In the Nazi era, this tradition was the starting point for the establishment of an NS colonial police. A memorial plaque for the South Sea colonial police survived World War II.
NON-THEMATIC CONTRIBUTIONS
MEGAVO and Police Racism. Final Report after Three Years of Research
by Norbert Pütter
The investigation into „Motivation, Attitude, and Violence in the Everyday Life of Police Officers“ (abbreviated in German as: MEGAVO) promises a description of the state of the German police from the perspective of their employees. The results are not surprising and, due to methodological problems, should be used with caution. In general, they indicate more the tip of the iceberg than the extent of the problems. This applies to the topic of „Racism and Police“ but also to other issues.
Secure Home Defense. Review of the 2024 European Men’s Football Championship
by Dirk Burczyk
The „Euro 2024“ was a successful football party – not only for the European Football Association UEFA as the organizer, but also for the police. Structures for cross-border cooperation could be tested under full load for four weeks. The topic of „Drone Defense“ was particularly trendy.
Police Fatal Shootings 2023
by Otto Diederichs
For the year 2023, statistics on the use of firearms by police recorded by the Conference of Interior Ministers reported a total of 65 shots fired at people, resulting in nine fatalities and 33 injuries. Legally, seven cases were classified as legal self-defense/defense of third parties and two as prevention of crime. One case of police use of firearms against people was classified as unjustified.