Was the message we received during this press conference expected?
National Police Chief Anders Thornberg, as expected, expressed dismay at the recent escalation of violence, which he called “terror-like crime”, but we didn’t really get any new answers on how to stop the violence.
It was interesting that the national police chief announced that already in 2020 he requested support from the Armed Forces from the then S-led government, something that the then Minister of Justice Morgan Johansson (S) said no to.
According to Thornberg, the police need help with, for example, surveillance, vehicles, analysts, IT forensics and with “target selection analyses”. At the same time, he is careful to explain that the military must not use violence against the citizens, but that it is still the police who must maintain the monopoly of violence.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) announced that he is calling ÖB and the national police chief to discuss how the Armed Forces can assist the police in this extreme situation – a meeting that will take place at 1 pm today, Friday.
At the same time, there is criticism of the police leadership for not doing more?
Yes, the criticism is above all about the organization and that the work is done incorrectly. There are too few police officers who are out in the vulnerable areas and talk to the citizens and build trust.
I have spoken to several sources recently, with good insight into the police management and the police organization, who believe that the authority is far too bureaucratic. Several believe that there are conditions for making the work more efficient – so that more police officers can work on solving crimes and not on administrative tasks.
Is Anders Thornberg secure in his post?
After all, SD has repeatedly demanded that Thornberg resign. Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) has each time responded sweepingly, but expressed that he has confidence in the national police chief.
His appointment expires in February next year and everything points to the fact that he will then be replaced, for the reason that SD would never accept an extended appointment.