POLICE VS. SOCIETY

3D Capture of different riot sticks used by the german police (Einsatzhundertschaft) for crowd control. The 3D Scan was taken at the Polizeihistorische Sammlung Berlin.

Date: 08.11.23
Location: Polizeipräsidium Platz der Luftbrücke, Berlin

Police officers walking in line in front of a demonstration. This unit is part of the quick task force to maintain control over the crowd.

Date: 04.11.2023
Location: Neptunbrunnen, Alexanderplatz, Berlin

An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people marched in the Berlin against the war between Israel and Palestine. About 1,000 police officers were deployed in part to prevent any anti-Semitic speeches or signage.

Until end of October, most pro-Palestinian demonstrations were banned in Berlin because local authorities feared an outburst of violence or anti-Semitism. But the decision was criticised as breaching the democratic right to freedom of assembly.

Date: 18.10.23
Location: Sonnenallee, Berlin

3D Capture of a statue from a police officer of the Reiter*innenstaffel. The 3D Scan was taken at the Polizeihistorische Sammlung Berlin.

Date: 08.11.23
Location: Polizeipräsidium Platz der Luftbrücke, Berlin

3D Capture of a historical collection that shows the development of unifrom used by the german police. The 3D Scan was taken at the Polizeihistorische Sammlung Berlin.

Date: 08.11.23
Location: Polizeipräsidium Platz der Luftbrücke, Berlin

On 19 February 2020, nine people were murdered in a racist terror attack in Hanau, Germany. After the attack, the perpetrator went to his house, where he killed his mother, and himself. Police knew the perpetrator's address early on but did not storm the house for almost five hours. FA were asked by the victims' families and the Initiative 19. Februar to examine how the police operation unfolded.

https://forensic-architecture.org/investigation/racist-terror-attack-in-hanau-the-police-operation

On 19 February 2020, nine people were murdered in a racist terror attack in Hanau, Germany. After the attack, the perpetrator went to his house, where he killed his mother, and himself. Police knew the perpetrator's address early on but did not storm the house for almost five hours. FA were asked by the victims' families and the Initiative 19. Februar to examine how the police operation unfolded.

https://forensic-architecture.org/investigation/racist-terror-attack-in-hanau-the-police-operation

What to do if you witness an arrest or police violence?

Symbols and Markings, Kennzeichnungspflicht

Symbols and Markings, Rückenkennzeichnung

Symbols and Markings, Rückenkennzeichnung

Symbols and Markings, Helmkennzeichnung

During the clearance of Lützerath a monk messed with police forces while they were stuck in the mud.

Tyssen TM-170 - SW4

Armour-plated vehicle used by the Bereitschaftspolizei in Germany.

3D Scan of german police during the "Global South United" Demonstration at Kottbusser Tor, Berlin.

Date: 28.10.2023

LiDAR scan of a smart used by the police in Kassel.

Date: 18.11.2023

Train turned into police by graffiti artists in Hamburg.

Alle 13 Minuten und 12 Sekunden schiesst „OURY9000“ selbstständig in einem Zufallsalgorithmus einen Farbball auf eins von 18 Polizeischildern und kreiert so ein sich selbstmalendes Kunstwerk, von dem keine*r weiß, wie es einmal aussehen wird.

Installation at Urban Art Biennale Voelklinger Hütte

Every 13 minutes and 12 seconds, "OURY9000" shoots a paint ball at one of the 18 police shields in a random algorithm, creating a self-sufficient, self-generating artwork from which no one knows the outcome.

Similar to riots, where paint bags transform the martial appearance of hundreds of police officers into protagonists of a colorful performance.

All cops are Berufsunfähig

taz 2020, Artikel von Hengameh Yaghoobifarah

A desktop documentary about modifying the code which governs interactions between police officers in
Grand Theft Auto V.

This work engages the "modding" scene for GTA: a community of people and tools that enable modifications to the game world.

While these mods are almost limitless in scope, one property is completely immutable: the police officers in the game will never fight each other.

The piece merges two genres of YouTube videos:
"Let's Play" and programming tutorial series. The former is enmeshed in livestreaming video game culture. Programming tutorials, on the other hand, are intended to guide a technical audience through creating or modifying source code.

It is algorithmically impossible to program cops in Grand Theft Auto V to fight each other.
"My idea was to create a simulation to watch the police harm each other in this virtual place when we've been seeing so much of them harming innocent people and predominantly people of color in the physical world. It became more of an investigation when I found out it wasn't possible."
 
Grayson Earle, MAXmachina 2021

What is GTA V?

Grand Theft Auto V is an action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. 

The story is centered on heist sequences, and many missions involve shooting and driving gameplay. A "wanted" system governs the aggression of law enforcement response to players who commit crimes.

Police in Berlin arresting Person on the "Free Palestine — will not be cancelled" Demonstration.

Date: 04.11.23
Location: Neptunbrunnen, Alexanderplatz, Berlin

Police Car in Flames Graffiti.

Location: Berlin, Germany

Police in Berlin hyping themselves up before attacking protesters at Sonnenallee in Neukölln.

Location: Sonnenallee, Berlin-Neukölln
Date: 06.10.2024

Massive german police attacks ocurred at the internationalist queer pride 2024.

Date:27.07.24
Location: Neukölln, Berlin

The Boston Police Department has engaged in racially discriminatory stop-and-frisk practices that have disproportionately targeted Black and Latino communities.

The report, authored by researchers from Columbia, Rutgers and the University of Massachusetts, analyzed 200,000+ encounters between BPD officers and civilians from 2007–2010. It found racial disparities in the BPD’s stops-and-frisks that could not be explained by crime or other non-race factors. Blacks during that period were the subjects of 63.3% of police-civilian encounters, although less than a quarter of the city’s population is Black.

The study confirms the conclusions of the ACLU’s October 2014 Black, Brown and Targeted report, which first highlighted the disparity revealed by the researchers.

Ten years' worth of NC traffic stop data reveal racial disparities in searches.

North Carolina law enforcement officers searched Black drivers and/or their vehicles almost twice as often as their white counterparts, and at a much higher rate than drivers of other races, according to a report released by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Analysis Center on Monday. The Center within the Governor’s Crime Commission is charged with compiling and analyzing criminal justice data.

Police searched Black drivers/vehicles 45 of every 1,000 stops, compared with 23 of 1,000 stops for white drivers/vehicles.  Law enforcement searched drivers/vehicles of other races 14 of 1,000 stops.

Traffic stop data for 2009-2019 show that while the rate of searches of Hispanic drivers/vehicles has declined, Black drivers’ search rate has remained high.

Fahrzeuge von Minderheiten werden schneller  und häufiger durchsucht.
Durchsuchungsschwelle bei PoC: 4%
Durchsuchungsschwelle bei Weissen: 22%

Strafverfolgung von Polizeibeamten in den USA die eine Person getötet haben 2013-2019

The RMMV Survivor R (presented SURVIVOR R by the company) is a medium-weight armoured-wheeled vehicle developed jointly as the result of a strategic co-operation between Germany’s Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) and Austria’s Achleitner. Survivor R was publicly displayed for the first time at Eurosatory 2014. The first sale of Survivor R was announced in March 2017.

To minimise both initial procurement and through life costs, Survivor R is based on a militarised MAN TGM 18-tonne gross vehicle weight (GVW) commercial truck chassis and automotives.

Survivor R uses only series-produced COTS components, with the bulk of the militarisation required integrated into the TGM production line at MAN's truck plant in Steyr, Austria. Through-life support will be based on the worldwide service, support and manufacturing networks of Rheinmetall and MAN, this ensuring the Survivor R can offer users supportability, high levels of operational availability and genuine service longevity.

Survivor R is powered by a high-sulphur fuel tolerant MAN 6.9-litre, 6-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine, this rated at EURO 3 or EURO 6 emissions compliance and (at EURO 6) developing 340 hp and 1,250 Nm torque. A MAN 12 AS 1210 Tipmatic 12-speed automated gearbox and MAN G 103 2-speed transfer box are fitted. The MAN front axle is rated at 7.1-tonnes, the rear at 11.5-tonnes. Suspension is by parabolic leaf springs, shock-absorbers and anti-roll bars. Standard tyres are 365/85 R 20 Michelin XZL fitted with Hutchinson run flat inserts.

Mass: 15 tonnes GVW
Length: 6.5 m
Width: 2.5 m
Height: 2.7 m (roof; standard configuration)
Crew: 2 + up to 10 in rear

In policing equipment, a police body camera or wearable camera, also known as body worn video (BWV), body-worn camera (BWC), or body camera, is a wearable audio, video, or photographic recording system used by police to record events in which law enforcement officers are involved, from the perspective of the officer wearing it. They are typically worn on the torso of the body, pinned on the officer's uniform. Police body cameras are often similar to body cameras used by civilians, firefighters, or the military, but are designed to address specific requirements related to law enforcement. Body cameras were first worn by police in the United Kingdom in 2005, and have since been adopted by numerous police departments and forces worldwide.

Crime mapping software faces criticism for contributing to racial profiling and bias due to its reliance on historically biased data, often leading to the over-policing of minority communities. Since these tools use past crime data, which disproportionately targets low-income, predominantly minority areas, they create feedback loops that further reinforce the idea of these neighborhoods as "high crime." This results in more frequent police presence and arrests in these areas for minor offenses, exacerbating racial disparities. Additionally, the algorithms used are often opaque, lack oversight, and can unintentionally amplify societal biases, making it difficult to ensure fair policing practices.

The Rheinmetall Mission Master, a high-tech unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), is part of a growing trend in law enforcement to use military-grade technology for policing. Developed by the German defense giant Rheinmetall, these robots are designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, and even armed intervention. While touted for reducing risks to officers, the increasing use of autonomous or remotely operated machines in police work raises concerns about over-militarization, lack of accountability, and potential misuse. Critics argue that deploying such technology in civilian spaces could lead to excessive force and deepen distrust between communities and law enforcement.

This illustration is a tactical diagram from 1980 showing how police formations are used to manage or disperse rioting crowds. The top section shows police units organized into groups led by inspectors (INSP), sergeants (P.S.), and constables (P.C.'s). The dashed arrows indicate communication and movement strategies as officers advance toward a crowd. The lower portion of the diagram represents the crowd, depicted as scattered individuals. The formation emphasizes control through coordinated, tiered deployment, with officers advancing in a structured manner to contain or push back the crowd.

The image shows a group of robotic police officers in full riot gear, symbolizing a troubling trend toward the militarization and automation of law enforcement. Equipped with shields and batons, these robots are positioned for crowd control, reflecting a future where machines may be used to suppress protests or civil unrest. This raises serious concerns about the dehumanization of policing, where decisions about public safety could be driven by emotionless algorithms rather than human judgment. The use of such technology could further escalate tensions between law enforcement and the public, eroding accountability and increasing the risk of excessive force without proper oversight.

Police controlling protesters in Lützerath 2022 during a protest against the expansion of RWE coal industry.

Anzahl der erledigten Ermittlungs - und Strafverfahren gegen Polizeibedienstete in Deutschland. 

Zeitraum: 2016 - 2021

Anzahl der seit 1990 von Polizist*innen in Deutschland erschossenen Menschen.

Stand: 10. August 2022

English Translation:

Why Abolitionism?

We find the origin of abolitionism in the liberation struggle of enslaved people. Contrary to the idea that it was white abolitionists in the imperial centers who achieved the formal abolition of slavery on the basis of moral arguments, abolitionism was a movement for the full social, political - and human - emancipation of enslaved and dispossessed people that went far beyond legal emancipation. It was, in short, not just about the abolition of plantations and the ownership of people, but about the project of abolishing a society that makes these relations possible and necessary in the first place; in other words, the abolition of the social relations and structure of a global system based on enslavement, colonialism, violence and exploitation. The persistence of this system means that abolitionism as a project is not yet complete, and so radical abolitionists are fighting today in this direct line of tradition. Based on these historical continuities, the primary concern today is to overcome penal regimes and state institutions of violence, often with a focus on the police, prison and border system as crystallization points of a carceral system that must be abolished as a whole. 
For these institutions do not serve to protect people, but to protect property, to control poverty, resistance and mobility and to maintain a historically developed racialized order on a national and global level?
As soon as the functions of maintaining power and reproducing the existing order are recognized as central to state institutions of violence, liberal critiques of certain inhumane circumstances or individual racist practices reveal themselves to be more than inadequate. While liberal criticism argues for more humane prisons or anti-discrimination training for the police, for example, which reform the system but do not change its fundamental function, radical abolitionists are clear: what is not broken cannot be repaired, it must be overcome. So it is still not just about the demolition of physical buildings such as prisons as such. It is about abolishing the conditions that make them possible and seem unavoidable.

Broken Windows policing is a law enforcement strategy that originated in the early 1980s. The concept was introduced by criminologists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling in an article titled „Broken Windows: The Police and Neighborhood Safety,“ published in the Atlantic Monthly in 1982.

The theory behind Broken Windows policing is based on the idea that visible signs of disorder and neglect, such as broken windows, graffiti, litter, and other forms of minor infractions, create an environment that encourages more serious crime. The theory suggests that by addressing these minor issues, law enforcement can prevent more serious crimes from occurring.

In practice, Broken Windows policing involves targeting low-level offenses and maintaining a visible police presence in communities to address disorderly behavior. The approach often includes tactics such as increased foot patrols, strict enforcement of quality-of-life offenses, and crackdowns on behaviors like public drinking, panhandling, and vandalism.

Supporters of Broken Windows policing argue that it helps to create safer and more orderly communities by deterring criminal activity and improving residents‘ quality of life. They believe that addressing minor offenses prevents a „tipping point“ where disorderly behavior escalates into more serious crime.

However, Broken Windows policing can lead to over-policing and disproportionate enforcement in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. The focus on minor infractions can result in the criminalization of poverty and exacerbate tensions between law enforcement and marginalized communities. Critics also question the effectiveness of the strategy, pointing to studies that suggest it has limited impact on overall crime rates.

Overall, Broken Windows policing remains a controversial topic in law enforcement and criminal justice policy, with ongoing debates about its effectiveness and its implications for police-community relations.

This pie chart from 2020/2021 shows the breakdown of various force tactics employed by the police. A critical observation is the overwhelming reliance on "Compliant Handcuffing," which accounts for 57% of all tactics used. While this may indicate a lack of physical resistance from individuals, it raises concerns about whether such a high rate of handcuffing is necessary or proportionate. Additionally, the use of "Unarmed Skills" at 19% suggests significant physical intervention, potentially heightening risks of unnecessary force. The small percentages for tactics like firearms (3%) and tasers (6%) show lower usage, but these figures still warrant scrutiny, given the serious consequences of these interventions. Overall, the diagram suggests a need for deeper investigation into whether these tactics are being used judiciously or if less forceful methods could be employed.

For the first time, German police
unleash dogs against pro-Palestine protesters.

Date: 19.10.2024
Location: Zoologischer Garten, Berlin

2023

Location: Neukölln, Berlin
Date: 10.10.24

Lyrics:

Ich bin die Ordnung, Staatsgewalt
Was sich mir in den Weg stellt, mach ich kalt
Unter mir werden alle weich
Ich mach Deutschland zum Reich

Zack Zack hau rein
Rechts links lechz
Mir kommt's

Ich bin ein Polizeiknüppel
Ich bin ein Polizeiknüppel

Footage: Le fond de l'air est rouge/ A Grin Without a Cat (France, 1977) directed by Chris Marker 

Police using dogs to manage the crowd during a demonstration against the AFD (a german right-wing party)  Bundesparteitag in Riesa, Germany.

Date: 11.01.2025
Location: Riesa, Germany

The square formation involves officers standing in a compact square formation, facing outward, to protect a specific area or object.

BE 13123: 1. Bereitschaftspolizeidirektion, davon 3. Einsatzhundertschaft, 1. Zug, 2. Gruppe, Individuellkennzeichnung 3

BE 34321: 3. Bereitschaftspolizeidirektion, davon 4. Einsatzhundertschaft, 3. Zug, 2. Gruppe, Individuellkennzeichnung 1

BE 1T313: 1. Bereitschaftpolizeidirektion, Technische Einheit, 3. Zug, 1. Gruppe, Individuellkennzeichnung 3

BE 10000: Leiter 1. Bereitschaftspolizeidirektion

Horse unit of the riot police in Germany.

Image of full technical equipment used by the riot poilce for the means of crowd control.

Information about Non-Lethal Weapons

Image of body armour used by riot police officers for self protection during crowd contol operations such as demonstrations.

Image of a face shield used by riot police officers.

Information about police tactics used for crowd control.

3D Scan of two Wasserwerfer vehicles from the Bereitschaftspolizei Berlin at Hermannplatz, Berlin. The Wasserwerfer were positioned at Hermannplatz due to the "Global South United" Demonstration.

Wasserwerfer, meaning "water cannon" in German, is a specialized crowd control device used by the German police and other law enforcement agencies. It is a powerful vehicle-mounted water cannon designed to disperse crowds, control riots, and provide a non-lethal means of force during certain situations.

Date: 28.10.23

3D Scan of a Line Formation performed by the Police during the "Free Palestine — will not be cancelled anymore" Demonstration at Neptunbrunnen, Alexanderplatz, Berlin.

Date: 04.11.2023

3D Scan of a Bulk Formation performed by the Police during the "Global South United" Demonstration at Kottbusser Tor, Berlin.

Date: 28.10.2023

LiDAR Scan of a line formation of the Einsatzhundertschaft Polizei Nordhessen during a demonstration on Friedrichsplatz, Kassel.

Date: 15.01.2022
Location: Rathaus, Kassel

LiDAR Scan of the Polizei Nordhessen taking antifa into custody. 

Kassel, January 2022

LiDAR Scan of 2 police officers walking at Karneval der Kulturen.

Berlin, June 2023

General information about police units

Stingray, also known as a cell site simulator or IMSI catcher, is a surveillance technology used to intercept and monitor cellular communications. It is typically deployed by law enforcement agencies and government entities for investigative purposes.

Legal Process if you experience police violence

Police fighting against Antifa on the streets of Leipzig, Germany.

Police Violence

LRAD stands for Long Range Acoustic Device. It is a type of directional acoustic hailing and deterrent system that uses sound as a means of communication or crowd control. LRAD devices emit high-intensity, focused sound waves over long distances, allowing for clear communication or providing a non-lethal means of controlling crowds or dispersing individuals.

Disarm the Police

Abolist the Police

Algorithmic Bias

Artificial Intelligence

New Technology

General Information

Used during the protests after the killing of Nahel.

The use of CCTV and face tracking by the police can vary depending on the jurisdiction, specific laws, and policies in place. Here are some common ways in which police may utilize CCTV and face tracking technologies:

-> Crime Prevention and Investigation: CCTV systems are often installed in public spaces, transportation hubs, and high-crime areas to deter criminal activity and provide visual evidence in case of incidents. Police may actively monitor live feeds from CCTV cameras to identify potential threats or criminal behavior and respond accordingly. Recorded footage can also be reviewed later to aid in investigations and identify suspects.

-> Facial Recognition for Identification: Police may employ face tracking or facial recognition technology to match faces captured by CCTV cameras against databases of known individuals, such as wanted criminals or missing persons. This can assist in identifying suspects or verifying the identity of individuals involved in criminal activities.

-> Crowd Monitoring and Public Safety: During large events, protests, or demonstrations, CCTV cameras can help police monitor crowds for public safety purposes. It allows them to assess the size, behavior, and potential risks within the crowd, enabling appropriate deployment of resources and intervention if necessary.

-> Traffic Surveillance and Enforcement: CCTV cameras positioned at intersections, highways, and other traffic points can aid in monitoring traffic flow, detecting violations, and enforcing traffic laws. Police can use this footage to investigate accidents, identify offenders, or gather evidence related to traffic-related incidents.

-> Investigations of Serious Crimes: In the context of serious crimes, such as homicides or terrorist acts, police may use CCTV footage and face tracking technology to track suspects' movements, establish timelines, or identify potential witnesses. This can assist in building a case and providing visual evidence in court proceedings.

Drones equipped with cameras and other sensors are being used by some police departments for a variety of purposes. For example, they can be used for surveillance, search and rescue operations, and to assist in crowd control. The aerial perspective provided by drones can help police to gather information more quickly and accurately, and to respond more effectively to emergency situations.

PDV 100

What is the PDV 100?

Critical Decision Making

Negotiating Tactics

Police Tactics

The Original Police Force

Why does the police exist?

Excerpt from the Book: The End of Policing — Alex S. Vitale

External Investigation Units

Racial Profiling

Teaching an Artificial Intelligence to detect tear gas containers used by police forces.

During the process of training a 'computer vision' classifier, bounding boxes and 'masks' tell the classifier where in the image the grenade exists.

When US border agents fired tear gas grenades at civilians in November 2018, photographs showed that many of those grenades were manufactured by the Safariland Group, one of the world’s major manufacturers of so-called ‘less-lethal munitions’. The Safariland Group is owned by Warren B. Kanders, the vice chair of the board of trustees of the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Whereas the export of military equipment from the US is a matter of public record, the sale and export of tear gas is not. As a result, it is only when images of tear gas canisters appear online that monitoring organizations and the public can know where they have been sold, and who is using them.

But this kind of manual research is laborious, and time-consuming. Automating any part of that process could be hugely beneficial to human rights monitors, and the pursuit of corporate accountability in the global arms trade.

Forensic Methods

Methods of Investigation

At the heart of the 2019 anti-government protests that swept Chile was the Plaza de la Dignidad, an occupied roundabout in central Santiago. The plaza became a locus for police violence, including the extensive use of chemical agents such as tear gas against peaceful protesters.

On 20 December 2019, hundreds of tear gas canisters were deployed against protesters in an egregious display of disregard for public health by Chilean authorities. Forensic Architecture and the Chilean medical-activist No+lacrimógenas worked together to analyse the use of tear gas by police on that day, and the scale of the health risks posed by it.

The entire battle for the roundabout was documented by a camera installed on a nearby building. First, we reconstructed the camera’s cone of vision and confirmed its time code, using shadows.

Helped by an automated method of video analysis that marked the extent of each tear gas cloud, and the approximate location of the canister that had produced it we counted and located 596 tear gas canisters.

The police are not here to protect you!

Critics

How to create a crime statistic?

LiDAR Scan of a "Hamburger Gitter" used during a demonstration at Hermannplatz in Berlin.

Date: 28.05.23

A "Hamburger Gitter" (translated as "hamburger barrier" or "hamburger grid") is a term used colloquially in Germany to refer to a type of portable police barrier commonly used for crowd control during protests, demonstrations, or other large-scale events. The term "hamburger" in this context does not refer to the food but originates from the German city of Hamburg, where these barriers were first used.

A Hamburger Gitter is a modular metal barrier system that consists of interlocking steel or aluminum panels. Each panel is approximately two meters in length and has vertical bars or mesh openings. These panels can be quickly connected and assembled to form a continuous barrier of the desired length. Hamburger Gitter barriers are designed to be sturdy and difficult to breach, providing a physical barrier to control or restrict the movement of crowds.

The barriers are often deployed in a grid or line formation to create a designated area, redirect crowd flow, or protect sensitive locations. They can be used to separate opposing groups, prevent access to restricted areas, or guide the flow of pedestrian traffic. Hamburger Gitter barriers are typically transportable and can be easily set up, dismantled, and repositioned as needed.

Amplified sound recordings of police actions during demonstrations in Germany and France mixed with electronic sounds.

Sound Engineering: Fabion Gimpel

police sound on demonstrations mixed with tensed electronic sounds

Picture taken during "Justice pour Nahel" protest in Paris, France in July 2023.

The existence of racial discrimination in French policing is well-documented. The French government’s own human rights watchdog found in a 2016 survey of over 5,000 people that people perceived as men, Black or Arab were 20 times more likely to be stopped by police than others.

Police clearing the village of Lützerath, Germany. Lützerath has been occupied by climate activists to raise awareness for climate change and prevent the village from being destroyed due to expanding coal industry.

Date: 14.01.2023
Location: Lützerath

Police using force against climate activists called "Letzte Generation" while they blocked a Street in Berlin. "Letzte Generation" is trying to create awareness for climate change.

Date: 13.04.23
Location: Berlin

The killing of Nahel became part of a broader public debate regarding French law enforcement, violence, immigration and integration of French people with an Arabo-Islamic background.

LiDAR Scan of a bulk formation used for crowd control during a demonstration.

Date: 15.01.2022
Location: Kassel, Germany

LiDAR Scan of a line formation of the Einsatzhundertschaft Polizei Nordhessen during a demonstration on Friedrichsplatz, Kassel.

Date: 15.01.2022
Location: Rathaus, Kassel

AI algorithms are used to identify individuals based on their facial features. Facial recognition is a category of biometric software that maps an individual‘s facial features mathematically and stores the data as a faceprint. The software uses deep learning algorithms to compare a live capture or digital image to the stored faceprint in order to verify an individual‘s identity.

Crime mapping software refers to computer programs or applications designed to analyze and visualize crime data geographically. It allows law enforcement agencies, researchers, and analysts to map, analyze, and understand patterns and trends in criminal activity within a particular area or jurisdiction. Crime mapping software combines geographical information systems (GIS) technology with crime data to create interactive maps and generate valuable insights.

Facial recognition algorithms have been found to exhibit biases, especially in correctly identifying individuals from certain racial or ethnic backgrounds. Studies have shown that these algorithms often have higher error rates when identifying individuals with darker skin tones or women, leading to potential misidentification and wrongful accusations.

Biometric identification refers to the process of identifying a person based on their unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, face, iris, or voice. These characteristics are captured and stored as digital data and then used for identification purposes, usually in a secure system, to grant or restrict access to physical or virtual systems and resources. The goal of biometric identification is to establish a person‘s identity in a more secure and reliable manner than traditional methods, such as a password or ID card.

The „defund the police“ movement refers to a political and social campaign that advocates for reducing police budgets and redirecting funds towards social services and programs aimed at addressing root causes of crime, systemic racism and social problems. Proponents argue that police departments have become overfunded, over-militarized, and are ineffective in addressing inequalities, social issues and promoting community safety. They call for reducing police budgets and reallocating the funds to other areas such as mental health, education, housing, and job programs. The goal of the movement is to create a more equitable and just society by addressing systemic inequalities and promoting community-based solutions to social problems.

The phrase „abolish the police“ refers to a movement or idea advocating for the elimination of police departments as they exist today, and for the creation of alternative systems for addressing community safety and resolving 
conflict. Proponents of the movement argue that police systems as they exist today are structurally racist and 
ineffective in promoting safety and that they cause more harm than good in many communities. 

The specifics of what a new system would look like vary, but ideas include external investigation units funded by state or private (Forensic Architecture), investing in community-based programs and services, creating new 
models of public safety, and empowering communities to create their own solutions to public safety.

Statistic about police encounters from 2015, highlighting the over representation of non-white individuals.

Source: US Bureau of Justice and Fatal Encounters Database

Young riot police officers "Bereitschaftspolizist*innen" take their oath of office in the sports hall of the Huckelriede police barracks in October 1956.

Photo: Werner Krysl

A "Hamburger Gitter" (translated as "hamburger barrier" or "hamburger grid") is a term used colloquially in Germany to refer to a type of portable police barrier commonly used for crowd control during protests, demonstrations, or other large-scale events. The term "hamburger" in this context does not refer to the food but originates from the German city of Hamburg, where these barriers were first used.

A Hamburger Gitter is a modular metal barrier system that consists of interlocking steel or aluminum panels. Each panel is approximately two meters in length and has vertical bars or mesh openings. These panels can be quickly connected and assembled to form a continuous barrier of the desired length. Hamburger Gitter barriers are designed to be sturdy and difficult to breach, providing a physical barrier to control or restrict the movement of crowds.

The barriers are often deployed in a grid or line formation to create a designated area, redirect crowd flow, or protect sensitive locations. They can be used to separate opposing groups, prevent access to restricted areas, or guide the flow of pedestrian traffic. Hamburger Gitter barriers are typically transportable and can be easily set up, dismantled, and repositioned as needed.

It's important to note that the use of Hamburger Gitter barriers, like any crowd control measure, is subject to regulations and guidelines to ensure their proper and proportionate use. They are intended to assist law enforcement in maintaining public order and ensuring the safety of both protesters and law enforcement personnel.

Wasserwerfer, meaning "water cannon" in German, is a specialized crowd control device used by the German police and other law enforcement agencies. It is a powerful vehicle-mounted water cannon designed to disperse crowds, control riots, and provide a non-lethal means of force during certain situations.

LiDAR Scan of a police vehicle used to transport up to 9 people to the place of action.

Location: Herrmannplatz, Berlin
Date: 29.05.2023

LiDAR Scan of police officers on a motorcycle patrolling in Kassel during a Demonstration.

Date: 03.06.2023
Location: Konigsplatz, Kassel

The Polizeidienstvorschrift 100 (PDV 100) is an internal document of the German police, which provides guidelines for the use of force in police operations. It is not made publicly available because it is considered a confidential document intended for internal use only. Its purpose is to guide police officers on the use of force in different situations, with the aim of minimizing harm to the public and the police. The guidelines may contain sensitive information related to police tactics, techniques, and strategies that, if disclosed, could undermine the effectiveness of police operations and jeopardize public safety police unions (Gewerkschaft der Polizei) says. Therefore, it is considered important to keep PDV 100 only as an internal document.

I think the PDV 100 should be more transparent to the public because it is guiding police officers on their everyday duties. Therefore the PDV 100 is having a big impact on the life of the policed and should be discussed with the public more openly to be able to adapt to social and economic changes.  Also the PDV 100 should be constantly revised to accept more error culture inside the police system and learn from cases of police violence.

Screenshot of a crime mapping software used by the police department in Philadelphia, USA.

LiDAR Scan of a police line formation used to keep protesters in custody.

Location: Kassel, Germany
Date: 15.01.2022

Texture mapping is a method for mapping a texture on a computer-generated graphic. Texture here can be high frequency detail, surface texture, or color.

This is a process sketch of an ongoing artistic research about police and law enforcement structures within western societies.

We need to rethink the role of police in society. The origins and functions of the police are intimately tied to the management of inequalities of race, gender and class. The suppression of workers, people identifying as LGBTQIA+ and the tight surveillance and micromanagement of migrated people and Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPoC)  have always been at the center of policing. Any police reform strategy that does not address this reality is doomed to fail. It is important that we constantly reevaluate what the police are asked to do and what impact policing has on the lives of the policed.

Drawing from my personal experience working as a police officer in southern Germany from 2016 until 2019, my intention with this project is to shed light on the intricate dynamics, numerous inequalities and racial biases embedded within this system. I aim to provoke critical reflection on its structure and the impact it has on society. This project also serves as a platform for me to express my concerns, observations, and critiques of the police system.

Motivated by my experiences, I now strive to create transparency around the realities of policing, unveiling its flaws, and offering insights into potential pathways for change.

Through "Police vs. Society" I endeavor to generate awareness and understanding regarding the realities of the current police system. I aim to highlight the ambiguity policing has and reveal the discrepancies between its intended purpose and its actual impact on marginalized communities. By exposing the inequalities and racial biases prevalent within the system, I hope to encourage a more open and honest conversation about the urgent need for reform.