‘Please put your statistics where we can see them’: Data and state of research on German police use of firearms

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.