When reading social science studies, this "I've thought" feeling often sets in: The findings confirm what common sense had previously assumed to be likely. For example, that young men complain particularly often about police violence. Or that complaints are made about unreasonably harsh actions by the officers, especially after demonstrations or other large-scale operations. It also sounds plausible that many alleged victims of police assaults are reluctant to report them because they think they have little chance of success.

Much of what one might have thought can be found in the recently published study by Frankfurt University professor Tobias Singelnstein on excessive police violence. Was it therefore wrong to spend public money on this investigation? No.

Trying to shed light on the grey area

The fact that there are situations in which the state abuses its monopoly on the use of force cannot be denied, nor can the fact that clarification is particularly difficult in such cases – precisely because the roles of investigators and alleged perpetrators can overlap here. Any attempt to scientifically shed light on this grey area is commendable, and it speaks to Singelnstein and his colleagues that they recognize the difficulty of relying on testimony from those allegedly affected. The tone of the study is also differentiated in other respects; this is how the extreme situation in which officers find themselves during delicate operations is appreciated.

Democracies not only endure when the actions of their institutions are critically examined, they demand it. However, a line is crossed when the legitimacy of these institutions is called into question. There is no reason to do so in Germany. Anyone who defames the local police as "racist" or "fascist" and calls for their abolition is doing their part to further dwindle respect for state authorities.

Police officers, firefighters and rescue workers, as well as politicians and administrative staff, work every day for the common good – and are exposed to insults, threats or even physical attacks. In view of this, it is permissible to ask what is currently the greater social problem: violence perpetrated by public officials, or violence perpetrated against them.