How Cop and Che Linz connect young people through TikTok

How Cop and Che Linz connect young people through TikTok

In Linz and Traun, the two TikTok stars, district police officer Uwe Schaffer and the Chechen influencer Ahmad Mitaev, are causing a stir. Her videos have garnered an impressive 20 million views, providing a platform that reaches youth and addresses important social issues. Interactions cover issues such as cannabis use and police training, which appeal to many young people and encourage discussion.

Ahmad Mitaev has a turbulent past marked by conflicts with the police. He reports painful experiences such as attacks during controls. But that changed with Uwe Schaffer, who helped him look at the image of the police from a new perspective. This collaboration is a key moment that brought the two out of a close-knit and often controversial relationship.

An important conversation at eye level

The fact that Mitaev can communicate with Schaffer on an equal level has a lot of meaning for him. Conversing with a police officer without prejudice or convictions was new for him and represented a further step towards normalizing this relationship. The contact between the two began at a workshop in Vienna, during which the idea of ​​improving police work in the Chechen community through means such as TikTok arose.

The desire for a positive portrayal of the police ultimately led to the joint videos - a challenge that was not easy to implement. Schaffer had to do some convincing before approval was finally given to bring the concept to TikTok. This approach proves fruitful considering how many young people can be reached through this platform.

A sign of hope

The impact of the videos is remarkable. During a reading in Traun and Linz, the two also share their story about Edith Meinhart's book, which deals with their partnership. It is a striking example of how two different paths in life can collide and show each other respect and understanding. Ahmad wants to show that his past, with all its challenges, is not the only possibility and that there are ways to shape the future positively.

Support for local politics is demonstrated by the presence of city councilors who attend the event to learn about how to identify radicalization among young people. The youth work and the innovative approaches of “Cop and Che” offer a valuable perspective for combating extremist influences. Young people see them as role models who help them orientate themselves in a pluralistic society.

It remains to be seen to what extent the approaches of “Cop and Che” can serve as a model for other communities in Linz and beyond in order to come into direct contact with young people and address the realities of their lives. The discussion about alternative offers like this is also very important for drawing the line between extremism and integration. Recognizing that there are numerous young people who are looking for someone to talk to is the first step towards a more open and supportive society.