This incident is part of a broader pattern of investigations into police officers across Germany for similar racist statements, with previous scandals reported in other regions.

Schnabel reiterated the commitment to constitutional values, stressing the importance of addressing any statements that contradict these principles.

The Hamburg police have confirmed an investigation involving 15 officers suspected of sharing racist messages in chat groups, a situation that has drawn significant public attention.

Hamburg Police President Falk Schnabel emphasized that any form of discrimination or glorification of violence is unacceptable within the police force.

The investigation was initiated following earlier criminal inquiries against two officers, one for a weapons law violation and another for offensive social media comments.

Prosecutors have transferred thousands of chat messages to the police's complaint office for analysis, revealing strong suspicions of significant violations of civil servant duties.

These officers, aged between 44 and 61, have been suspended, and their homes and offices were searched, resulting in the seizure of numerous data carriers as evidence.

The officers are accused of distributing xenophobic and anti-Semitic content, prompting disciplinary proceedings against them.

The searches of the officers' residences began early in the morning, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.

A dedicated complaint office at police headquarters is currently analyzing the tens of thousands of WhatsApp messages exchanged among these officers.

Hamburg's Interior Senator Andy Grote has stated that intolerance and anti-democratic behavior have no place in the police, advocating for necessary disciplinary actions.

The investigations are being led by the department responsible for complaint management and disciplinary matters within the Hamburg police.