Despite the fact that the police received a USB stick with a detailed report on suspected thefts, compiled internally at Region Skåne, the investigation was closed.
“Not possible to review the content” it says in the police’s notes.
– It’s strange in such cases. Then we would probably have been able to pursue the case further, says Emil Andersson, head of the Malmö police’s investigation unit.
“Not documented that well”
That they failed to open the word document on the stick has been confirmed by a police source for Kalla fakta. The police also did not get in touch with the person in Region Skåne who was given as contact.
– We could certainly have made more of an effort in the contacts. But we haven’t documented that well. And we take that to heart, says Emil Andersson.
The chairman of the Crime Victims’ Center is critical of Malmö police’s handling.
– It doesn’t sound wise if a policeman writes something down because you can’t open and see what the USB stick contains, says Sven-Erik Alhem.
What could the police have done when they failed to open the stick?
– Yes, seek help from a professional, says Sven-Erik Alhem.
Taking up the investigation again
After Kalla fakta started asking questions about the case, the Malmö police have decided to take up the investigative work again, just over two and a half years after the report of suspected theft. This applies, among other things, to decommissioned anesthesia machines that are suspected of having disappeared to private healthcare clinics.
– I cannot answer for details, but we have started a preliminary investigation now again, which we are running with the new information that has been received, says Emil Andersson.
Sven-Erik Alhem, chairman of the Crime Victims’ Help Desk, believes that whistleblowers must be prepared to stand up for themselves if the police are to take on a complicated case.
– It is so incredibly common today that the police refer to the fact that you have so much to do with gang crime that you have difficulty prioritizing other matters. It is important that you, as the plaintiff, really stand your ground. And request a review if it is a decision that you dislike, he says.