Divergent Headlines: The Polarized Police Image
- by Stephan Anpalagan
- 4 Min
Candidly admitted: Law enforcement faces challenging circumstances as well - Officers Struggle with Challenges on Regular Basis
Recent German news drips with contrasting stories about the police force.
On May 21, 2025, Jaspinder Singh, a recruit with a turban, joins Bremen's police force–blending seamlessly into the ranks of young, proud police officers. However, it takes two days for Radio Bremen to report on Singh's distinctive appearance in an article titled "Police officer with turban stirs political debate in Bremen."
Simultaneously, on the same day, authorities in Osnabrück launch an investigation into two police officers accused of propagating right-wing extremist content. The case leads to raids on their homes, culminating in an NDR report on May 23 entitled "Investigated Police Officers: Right-wing extremism allegations detailed."
On May 23, 2025, Green Youth Chair Jette Nietzard posts a photo of herself wearing a pullover bearing the controversial slogan "ACAB" (All Cops Are Bastards) on Instagram. The ensuing uproar earns Nietzard a new headline on Bild the following day: "Green Youth Leader: Nietzard provokes with police-hatred pullover."
What Stories Catch Our Eye?
With such a stir around Nietzard's pullover, it's no surprise that the general public has been engrossed in the debate. Authorities at various levels, including regional authorities, political parties, and ministers, have publicly weighed in on the issue[1].
While journalists from the "Welt" have penned 17 articles regarding Nietzard's controversial garb, they have onlypublished a single article about the police officer giving the Hitler salute in Osnabrück[1].
Striking a Balance
Examining articles from NDR, however, reveals a different picture. The report covers the allegations against the right-wing extremist police officers, delving into the status of the investigations and the state of Lower Saxony's police force[2].
Assessing Our Society
Nietzard's pullover is indeed thoughtless and potentially controversial. Comparing it to the outrage generated by the young Sylt protesters who gave the Hitler salute in the past, one could argue that the reaction is appropriate. Yet, those who criticize Nietzard's pullover should not overlook the origin of the slogan[1].
The "A" in "ACAB" stands for "all"–implicating every police officer, as well as those who work with or train the police force. Generalizing all police officers based on the actions of a few is akin to claiming all South Americans are drug traffickers or all Asians are good at math[3]. Such wide-reaching accusations are simplistic and inaccurate at best, reflecting a lack of critical thinking.
Singh, the turban-wearing police recruit from Bremen, would be denounced a bastard under the same slogan. As a man with clear migrant roots and Sikh heritage, he expressed enthusiasm for the police profession in a brief interview with Radio Bremen[2].
Those who argue that the police represent a mirror image of society, quick to criticize far-right chats, but defensive when women, gays, Muslims, Jews, or Sikhs join the police force, fail to comprehend the intricacies of community policing. One who has more of a problem with a turban-wearing police officer than with the constant reports of racist or far-right police officers should reevaluate their priorities[3].
Respect for the police must be earned, and critics should focus on meaningful reform instead of attacking the police as a whole[3]. A liberal democracy thrives on freedom of speech, including loud criticism of government institutions. However, individuals who lack the ability to constructively criticize and attack all officers in Germany with the likes of a pullover may do more harm than good to the cause of building trust between the police and the community[1][3].
- Police
- Public Prosecutor's Office
- Bremen
- The public prosecutor's office in Bremen is called upon to investigate cases involving police officers, such as the recent investigation into two officers accused of propagating right-wing extremist content.
- In the ongoing debate about the role and image of the police force, the public's attention is drawn to instances where individuals, like Jette Nietzard, make controversial remarks, while significant stories about police officers, such as the groundbreaking moment of Jaspinder Singh joining Bremen's police force, might be overlooked.
