Seehofer on Study Dispute: Don’t Just Look at the Police

For months, the federal interior minister, Seehofer, has been rejecting demands for a study on racism in the police force. Instead, he has now announced a broader investigation: on racism in society.

According to a media report, Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer is planning a broad-based research project on the issue of racism in society. “A study that deals exclusively with the police and the complaint of structural racism within the police will not be done with me,” said the CSU politician from “Bild am Sonntag.” “That doesn’t do the problem justice either. This requires a much broader approach to society as a whole, and we are working on this.”

Seehofer recalled that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution will initially present a situation report on racism and extremism with the security authorities at the end of the month.

SPD promotes police study

The question of a scientific study on racism in the German police has been the subject of discussion for months. While Seehofer rejects such an investigation, SPD Federal Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht came out in favor. More recently, the federal states led by the SPD announced their own study.

In recent months, accusations of right-wing extremism have surfaced against police officers in several federal states. This week 30 police officers from North Rhine-Westphalia were suspended from their duties on suspicion of far-right activities. They are said to have spread right wing agitation in group chats.