“Society today has a greater need than before to be able to use security guards in crime prevention and safety-creating work,” writes the police on its website. And already at the turn of the year, the security guards will have more powers when a new law comes into force.
– This is part of what we have heard the politicians talk about, that you should try to relieve the police. We have had an escalating criminality, an everyday crime, and we have heard about the insecurity among the public in public places, says legal expert Johanna Björkman.
– This is a way to strengthen the presence of personnel who have the authority to work both in crime prevention and security, she continues.
This means that security guards may be used in more places – and for more purposes.
Fact: It applies from 1 January 2024
Transport certain dependents
Body search people for identification purposes
Destroy the seized alcohol if the value is small
Source: Police Authority
But unlike how it has looked in the past, those who want to use security guards need to apply for permission from the police. With the exception if another law or constitution states that security guards may be used. For example, the law on security checks in courts.
– It will be much more detailed and regulated, says Johanna Björkman.
The new regulation will strengthen the police’s control and management of the security guards.
– If you now use the help of the security guards to actually carry out some of the things that have previously been on the police’s table, then it is also important for the public to be able to feel secure that these are security guards who have the right to do this and that the police also keep track of who is allowed to do this, in which places and during which times, says Johanna Björkman.
Risk of racial profiling
But the new law has also drawn harsh criticism. Among other things, John Stauffer, chief legal officer at Civil rights defenders, believes that the increased powers are too far-reaching and risk leading to discrimination and racial profiling.
– There is a risk that law enforcement officers intervene without sufficient or objective reasons and that is a problem that we are concerned about. And that you risk being influenced by prejudices in your actions, says John Stauffer.
– It risks leading to ethnic and racial profiling. That is, based on a person’s appearance, you do different things, such as deciding to body search someone.
Above all, it is the length of the security guard training that means that the security guards are not equipped to handle the extended powers in a legally secure manner, he believes.
“Under all criticism”
The security guard training is now being extended from the previous 80 hours to 160 hours – but far from enough, John Stauffer thinks.
– It is positive that the education is being extended, but it is far from enough. It’s an incredibly short training, especially given the expanded and far-reaching powers that law enforcement officers will be given. It is under all criticism that you do not have an education that is significantly longer, says John Stauffer.
Shouldn’t one have these increased powers?
– No, in this situation you shouldn’t have these powers, but then you have to redo the education, says John Stauffer.
TV4 Nyheterna is looking for Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer.