Policeman made illegal search for information about girlfriend's family – was sacked

In December 2020 a policeman who works in Skåne was sentenced at Kristianstad district court for seven cases of hacking. He was also found guilty of breaches of confidentiality.

The offences occurred in 2018.

During the trial the policeman said that he had just fallen in love and wanted to look at the woman's passport photo. That was why he searched for her name in the police IT-system.

A policeman may only make a search in the police IT-system if it is necessary for police work.

That he looked for information about her relatives was a mistake, and the search was in the line of duty.

He has also informed a young woman that she was not wanted by the police. Such information is not made public by the police.

The policeman was fined 18,000 crowns.

Before the trial Polisens personalansvarsnämnd (PAN, Police Human Resources Board) said that if the man was found guilty, he would lose his job. That is now the case. The board reached the decision in May.

– At the same time as the colleague was informed of PAN's decision he was immediately dismissed from his post, says Anders Olofsson, head of the local police area.

– Colleagues who are suspected of a crime most often choose themselves to resign at once, he says.

One member (of eight) of PAN thought the man should be allowed to retain his position; the policeman has carried out his duties both before and after the event, and three years have passed since then.