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Police officers on duty: The Union supporters are divided on the question of a racism study within the police
Photo: Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert / picture alliance / dpa
A police scandal shakes North Rhine-Westphalia.
It's about right-wing extremist messages in chat groups, the content is disgusting to inhumane.
29 police officers have been temporarily removed from service.
The case reignites the discussion about racism in the police.
However, Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) still does not want a comprehensive investigation on the subject.
With this attitude he opposes the majority of the population.
Because almost 55 percent of Germans think a study on racism within the police is necessary.
This is the result of a recent survey by the opinion research institute Civey on behalf of SPIEGEL.
Between September 18 and 21, more than 5,000 people answered the question whether they consider it necessary for the federal government to commission a study on racism within the police.
Around 39 percent of those questioned answered the question with "no, definitely not" or "rather no".
Proponents of a racism study predominate in all age groups.
Supporters of such a study are most strongly represented in the group over 65 and among 18 to 29 year olds.
In the first age group, around 60 percent of those questioned are in favor of such a study, in the latter it is more than 58 percent.
The age groups between 30 and 39 years and between 50 and 64 years are also close together.
In both cases, more than 54 percent consider an investigation into racism within the police necessary.
The values for 30 to 39 year olds are comparatively low.
There, only around 45 percent answered yes to the question of whether they consider an investigation to be necessary.
Union supporters are divided
With regard to voting intent, clear differences between the supporters of the various parties become apparent.
Around 80 percent of the SPD supporters consider a racism study with the police to be necessary.
Among the supporters of the Greens and the Left, it is even more than 80 percent.
In contrast, the proportion of supporters for the FDP is only around a third.
And only a good five percent of AfD supporters think a study on racism in the police is necessary.
The decision on the investigation would have to be made by the Union-led Federal Ministry of the Interior.
So far, however, Minister Seehofer has rejected such a survey.
He wants a broader approach "to society as a whole," he said recently.
He does not necessarily comply with the will of the Union supporters.
They are divided on the question of whether such a study is necessary.
Around 46 percent answer the question with "Yes", around 47 percent with "No" and around 7 percent are undecided.
Differences between town and country
In order to answer the question, in addition to political orientation, where you live is obviously also relevant.
The SPIEGEL survey shows differences between the urban and rural populations.
As the population density increases, so does the proportion of respondents who consider a racism study in the police force to be necessary.
In rural regions with a very low population density, around 50 percent are in favor, in regions with a very high population density it is more than 60 percent.
The question of investigating racism in the police has been causing controversy in the federal government for months.
The SPD has already campaigned for this on several occasions, and Social Democratic Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht asked her cabinet colleague Seehofer to rethink.
The current police scandal in North Rhine-Westphalia is likely to increase the pressure on Seehofer.
Especially since the case is by no means the first of its kind - and the full extent has not yet been clarified.
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