From Predictive Policing to Data Analysis Platforms: The Datafication of Policing in Germany

With the implementation of predictive policing, the police in Germany have entered the algorithmic age. The associated hype led to a sensitization of political and police decision-makers for the (propagated) potential of big data analyses. As a result, numerous projects and programs have been recently set up to promote a general datafication of policing, such as the infrastructure program ‘Police 2020’ or the introduction of data analysis platforms à la Palantir ‘Gotham’ (e.g., ‘hessenDATA‘). In my presentation, the connection between predictive policing and the datafication of the police is discussed and empirical examples for the latter are given. In addition, it is presented which epistemic and organizational effects are associated with the datafication of policing. In doing so, I will focus especially on the role of data-analysis platforms, which promise a ‘desilosation’ of data sources and its seamless integration and accessibility from a central analysis dashboard.

Simon Egbert is researcher at the Institute of Sociology, Technische Universität Berlin (TU).

Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/98347453639, Meeting-ID: 983 4745 3639, no Kenncode

Zoom can be used from the browser, without installing any additional software. Zoom will try to nudge you away from this option - but it works! We recommend the in-browser usage mode for improved security.