Dortmund Police Appoint Antisemitism Officers to Reform Internal Training
The Dortmund Police Department has implemented new measures to combat antisemitism within its ranks. Two dedicated officers, an antisemitism commissioner and a deputy, will now serve as central contacts for colleagues. Their role involves organizing discussions and training to address knowledge gaps about Jewish life and hate incidents.
Dr. Sarah Jadwiga Jahn, a researcher specializing in police training, stresses the urgency of the issue. She warns that antisemitism within police structures weakens investigations and erodes public trust in law enforcement.
Antisemitism presents complex challenges for police officers, particularly when incidents involve Israel-related hostility. Many struggle to identify when behavior crosses legal lines, often due to unfamiliarity with symbols, coded language, or extremist groups. This uncertainty can delay responses and leave victims unsupported.
Dr. Jahn's work focuses on state police forces, where officers regularly encounter antisemitism in neighborhood conflicts, threats, facility protection, and online harassment. Her research underscores how deeply the problem is embedded in everyday policing. To address this, she leads the EMPATHIA³ project, which combines a foundational study with an educational program called Intervention. The initiative trains officers to recognize antisemitism, understand Jewish communities, and intervene effectively—both in public incidents and among colleagues.
The Intervention program uses realistic simulations to test police reactions during protests where antisemitism surfaces. It also examines the legal and ethical boundaries of police action. Beyond training, Dr. Jahn advocates for long-term integration of antisemitism awareness into all levels of security education, from basic academies to advanced courses. This approach aims to make such training a standard part of police professional development.
Her project also emphasizes building networks beyond the police. By training multipliers in political education and fostering cross-agency collaboration, the goal is to spread expertise and create lasting institutional support. These efforts align with broader trends in security agencies, where specialized roles—like antisemitism officers—and reflection-based training are becoming key tools in combating hate.
The appointment of antisemitism commissioners in Dortmund reflects a growing recognition of the issue's impact on policing. Training programs like Intervention and structural changes aim to improve officers' ability to respond to hate incidents. The long-term success will depend on sustained education, institutional accountability, and stronger ties between law enforcement and Jewish communities.
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