Independent Agency for Deaths after contact with the Police

The Recherche - Zentrum e.V. is the first independent investigative body for deaths following contact with the police in Germany. We are a group of investigative journalists, filmmakers and activists who began setting up the Recherche - Zentrum in 2022. We have been a non-profit association since August 2024.

Our specific experience in this area is based, among other things, on years of self-organised research and investigative work in the case of Oury Jalloh. Now we are expanding our research and methods to other cases. 

To ensure our independence, we finance ourselves mainly through small donations.

What we will use your donation for:

1. Time-consuming file analysis and research
A complex file analysis is the basis of our work. We work out anomalies in the file and research the background. To do this, we visit the locations, talk to those involved and collect facts.


2. Organisation and payment of lawyers
This is how we relieve the families of those affected and ensure professional legal support.


3. Organising and paying for experts
We seek out renowned experts who can review specific facts and provide legally sound expert opinions.

4. Publicising the new findings
We publish the most important results of our research in articles or documentary films, for example. Publicity is an important factor in putting pressure on law enforcement agencies.

Our goal is to bring the responsible police officers to court on the basis of solid evidence and to provide justice for the families.

In order for our work to be effective and sustainable, we need your support!

Help us with your (long-term) donation to establish the first independent investigative body for deaths after police contact in Germany!

You can find more information here: https://www.recherche-zentrum.org/