Problematized police use of force and how to deal with it

Under certain circumstances, the police are authorized to use force in exceptional cases to enforce police measures. This can lead to mistakes, overstepping of legal boundaries and abuse. At the same time, the practice resulting from this authority to use force is highly controversial in society. Against this background, specific uses of force by the police are repeatedly problematized by those affected and in the public debate. This article examines how discrepancies arise in the perception and assessment of the events by the various parties involved and how they deal with them. It also takes a look at how relevant allegations are dealt with, particularly in subsequent criminal proceedings. The presentation is based on the results of the DFG research project “Assault in office by police officers”(https://kviapol.uni-frankfurt.de).

Tobias Singelnstein is Professor of Criminology and Criminal Law at the Faculty of Law at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main. He previously held the Chair of Criminology at Ruhr University Bochum from 2017 to 2022. His work focuses on criminology (including social control and society, police and justice, security research) as well as criminal law and criminal procedure law (including investigative measures and evidence law, data processing in criminal proceedings, criminal law and digitalization). In addition to more than 60 articles in specialist publications, he has written various monographs on topics in these areas and edited a number of anthologies. In 2022, his non-fiction book co-authored with Benjamin Derin, “Die Polizei. Helpers, Opponents, State Power” was published by Econ/Ullstein in 2022.

Admission is free.