Police Use Excessive Force

A seminal study on police violence in Germany, giving voice to victims and exposing systemic failures.

Police Use Excessive Force presents the first comprehensive study of police violence in Germany, an issue that has remained largely underexamined in academic and legal discourse. Drawing on a large-scale survey of over 3,300 victims and more than sixty in-depth qualitative interviews, this book unpacks the complexities of excessive force, explaining the power dynamics that shape these encounters and the legal obstacles victims face in seeking justice.

The authors analyze how police officers exert their authority in moments of conflict, how excessive force is defined and contested, and how legal frameworks influence accountability—or its absence. Through firsthand testimonies and empirical data, the book illuminates the systemic nature of police violence and the broader implications for law enforcement and human rights.