‘Please put your statistics where we can see them’

Data and state of research on German police use of firearms

Bibliographic Data

ID21372350
AuthorsLaura Schmitz (0000-0002-1216-4155, University of Münster, corresponding author), Jens Struck (0000-0002-0312-9702, University of Münster)
Year2026
Publication date2026-03-04
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Police Journal Theory Practice and Principles (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0032-258X • E-ISSN: 1740-5599
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0032258x261431581
OpenAlexW7134893547
LanguageEN
References cited22

The use of firearms by the police in Germany lacks systematic research, despite its significance for understanding police work and accountability. This paper examines police firearm use through exploratory research, official statistics, and civil society data sources, contextualising findings within international police research. Unlike the United States, German research shows significant gaps and relies mainly on limited official statistics. Civil society initiatives attempt to fill these gaps, but their coverage remains incomplete. The paper analyses discrepancies between data sources, identifies research gaps and concludes that systematic research programmes and improved data transparency are essential for evidence-based policy and accountability

Exploratory research · German · Official statistics · Poison control · State (computer science) · State police · Transparency (behavior) · Work (physics) · Crime Patterns and Interventions · German Security and Defense Policies · Policing Practices and Perceptions

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