Author(s):
Ulrich Wagner, Alaa Altrad, Zoë Anna Delschen, Janine Meuret & Patrick F. Kotzur

Institution:
Philipps-Universität Marburg
Durham University GB

Title:
Positive and negative contact experiences of and with the police - results of qualitative interview studies with police officers and with people with and without a migration background

Abstract:
We present results from qualitative interviews with police officers (12), young refugees (9), young people with a long history of migration (12), and people without a migration background (12) on their experiences of mutual encounters.The results show: When it comes to positive behaviour, all groups emphasized the professionalism of the police.Regarding negative interactions, the police officers considered themselves as goal-oriented professional problem solvers and as colour-blind in their dealings with conflict parties.When asked about negative police behaviour, respondents with and without a migration background primarily referred to incomprehensible coercion and the use of police force.Re­spondents with a longer history of migration in particular also reported racial profiling. This divergence in perspectives with regard to police behaviour in conflict situations can be seen as an opportunity to strive for improvements.

S. 2-10