The first alarm that led to the police firing came shortly after seven o’clock on Wednesday evening. Police then went out to Bromma outside Stockholm after an alarm that a man was running around with a knife. The man was taken to hospital by ambulance after the operation, but was described as “awake and talking” by the police.
Four hours later, a similar situation arose in Bjuv, where police shot at a man armed with firearms. The man’s condition was described as serious but stable after the shooting.
At one o’clock in the morning the same thing happened once more. This time a knife-armed man was shot by police in Lidköping after he acted threateningly. His condition is also described as serious but stable.
SVT Nyheter has contacted the Police Authority, which does not want to comment on the individual events.
“Important that it be reviewed”
According to police researcher Johan Bertilsson, police firing weapons during operations is relatively unusual. In order for shots to be fired, special criteria must be met.
– We have the right to shoot to arrest, then we can only shoot in the legs. We also have the right to shoot to protect ourselves and others. That means emergency protection, says Bertilsson.
In all three cases, a report of misconduct has been drawn up, which is routine when a police officer fires his service weapon. Last year, police fired service weapons on 39 occasions, of which only two cases led to charges.
– These are serious incidents and we are rarely forced to shoot, so it is important that it is properly reviewed, says Johan Bertilsson.