Police photography

What happens in front of the barrier - and what happens behind it? What images are created where publicity ends and action begins? The Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen in cooperation with the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Interior, Digitization and Municipalities are addressing these questions. Around 120 mostly unpublished photographs from the archives of Baden-Württemberg's state police will be on display, illuminating the complexity of everyday police life from different perspectives. Photography is a central component of today's police work - from securing evidence and documenting crime scenes and operations to public communication. Beyond this functional use, the exhibition provides impressive insights behind the scenes: it focuses on the people behind the uniform and the emotional range of the profession. In many cases, the photographs were taken by police officers themselves and are being shown to the public for the first time in their authenticity and immediacy.