Police in Hamburg, Germany, on Tuesday, said 15 officers, including some who have since retired, are under investigation for sending and receiving racist messages in group chats.
A total of nine apartments in the northern German city were searched with numerous electronic devices being seized as evidence.
The investigations were launched after two officers reportedly sent and received messages that were “racist” and “glorifying violence and Nazism.’’
The police said others under investigation participated in the chats to varying degrees.
Disciplinary proceedings are underway against 15 former and current officers aged between 44 and 61.
They are reportedly from Hamburg’s regular police branch, known as the Schutzpolizei, as well as from water police.
The investigation is being conducted by the Hamburg police department responsible for complaints and disciplinary matters.