More police officers subjected to threats and violence

42 per cent of the members surveyed from the Police Union feel that they have been subjected to threats, violence or other undue influence. This is an increase of two percentage points since 2017.

Police officers in investigative operations are most vulnerable. There, it increased by four percentage points during the same period - from 68 to 72 per cent who felt exposed to threats or violence.

– The figures presented by the Police Union fits well with my understanding and what I hear from my members, says Per Elmberg, Chairman of the Police Union’s department in the police area Blekinge Northeast Skåne.

- It's scary that it’s heading that way and so many colleagues experience this.

What has caused this development?

- It's a very complex question. Among other things, we have problems with social exclusion and of course the police's own problems with, for example, there not being enough of us.

The Police Union has several proposals on measures to reduce vulnerability. These include hiring administrators who relieve the police and to adopt tougher legislation on violence and threats against officials. But the most important individual measure is that more police are required, the Police Union believes.

- Among other things, it will reduce the strain on the individual police officer. It won’t be the same individual who is exposed to the same criminals all the time, says Per Elmberg.

How are things looking in Kristianstad?

- We have had some situations in Kristianstad, there’s no doubt about it. But I would like to say that in our police area, which stretches from Hässleholm to Karlskrona, the authority is good at dealing with these situations when they arise.

Per Elmberg mentions, for example, that there has been damage to police officers private property such as cars and houses. According to the Police Union’s survey, many feel that the violence and threats have just become more serious and more elaborate over the past five years.

- It has become more than just taunting, says Per Elmberg.