What does the topic mean?
Despite the intensive efforts to prevent and avoid misconduct in recent years, both media articles and scientific studies indicate that misconduct within police units – particularly in the form of sexist or racist remarks – can still be observed. Strong group cohesion and the resulting esprit de corps ensure that misconduct is not openly addressed in the respective units out of loyalty or fear of stigmatization, a phenomenon known as the “code of silence”. In the long term, this not only jeopardizes a healthy organizational culture, but also impairs the public’s trust in the police.
