Shock in Neukölln: police officer after a knife attack in mortal danger!

Shock in Neukölln: police officer after a knife attack in mortal danger!

late Friday evening, May 17, 2025, there was a dramatic discussion between a 28-year-old man and a Berlin police officer in Neukölln. The young man originally intended to file a complaint and began to riot during the long waiting time. The situation escalated and there was a wrangling in the course of which a knife was used. The policeman was seriously injured on the neck and was seriously injured. Although the police officer temporarily hovered in mortal danger, it is now in a stable state. The 28-year-old was initially arrested, but was released just a few hours later. A spokesman for the public prosecutor said that there is currently no reliable knowledge for a targeted use of knife and there is no urgent suspicion of a homicide. Krone reported about the incidents.

These incidents also skill lightly on the general topic of police violence, which has increasingly come into focus in Germany since George Floyd's death in the United States. A study by the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main entitled "Violence in the Office" highlights the various facets of police force and its processing. Police violence is defined as the excessive or inappropriate use of physical violence by police officers. These include blows, kicks and also the use of firearms. Police violence often occurs, especially at major events, such as demonstrations and football games, but the study shows that around 20 percent of cases occur in conflict situations or in personnel checks outside of such events.

study on police violence and their causes

The criminologist Tobias Singelnstein emphasizes that police officers are authorized to use violence in certain situations, but only in relation to the threat to which they are facing. The study names various causes of police violence, including poor communication, stress, overwhelming and shortage of personnel. Discriminating behavior and inadequate application planning also contribute to the problem. It was found that discriminatory attitudes of civil servants can lead to excessive violence and that the use of self -assurance strategies often emphasizes dominance and enforcement.

recommendations for reducing police violence

The study also refers to the social perception of violence in the police culture, which is often considered normal. Defects in the training and sensitization of the officials are also part of the problem. In order to reduce police violence, the study recommends a reform of criminal processing, improved communication within the police as well as greater transparency and verifiability. Those affected by police violence are advised to document incidents, look for witnesses and to contact human rights organizations. These recommendations could contribute to an improvement in the situation and initiate the necessary public debate about police violence, which Deutschlandfunk discussed.