As of April 30, certain employees of the Police Agency who work against organized crime will be able to use a different information than their name in decisions and documentation. It is clear since the proposals in the government’s memorandum Strengthened protection for certain police employees on Wednesday afternoon voted through by the Riksdag. 285 members pressed the yes button, only 21 the no button.
Confidentiality shall apply to all information that can reveal the identity of the police employee, unless it is clear that the information can be disclosed without it hindering the authority’s activities.
All parties except the Left Party supported the government’s proposal. In the case of the Social Democrats, it was with some hesitation that they voted yes, and with a reservation that the new rules should be continuously evaluated. However, that reservation was voted down.
The issue is a classic conflict of goals between transparency and legal certainty versus a good working environment and good protection for people who work on the front line, according to Riksdag member Petter Löberg (S).
– When society is under attack, things like this are incredibly important. That the intersection is balanced in the right way. That we have the courage to uphold principles. Both in terms of good legislative process, but also the principles that have been the basis of Swedish administrative policy, said Petter Löberg in the debate before the vote.
The Left Party justified its refusal by saying that the government’s proposal should be handled together with the investigation A stronger protection for public employees against violence, threats and harassment, which is still out on referral.
– The principle of openness must not be dismantled as easily as possible, said Gudrun Nordborg (V) during the debate.
Martin Melin, Member of Parliament for the Liberals and police, painted a scenario of what it can be like as a police officer to stop a car where drugs and weapons are found, and be met with threats.
– That’s when you should go to the police station and make a report. This is when you must enter the seizure, the money and the drugs. And in the field above who has decided on the action, write your name. You know that your name will be public with it. And you know that the person arrested will get to know your name and will get to know who you are, said Martin Melin and asked for approval of the proposal.
The Legislative Council rejected the government’s proposal in the spring. The questions are already being dealt with in the investigation A stronger protection for public employees against violence, threats and harassment, considers the Legislative Council. The council also criticizes the short referral period and writes in its opinion: “As far as can be assessed, the proposed solution will make it more difficult for the individual to check that there has not been a slur or any other irrelevant relationship during the decision-making process. The proposals also affect the principle of publicity and the possibilities for examination of and transparency in the work of the police.”
Several important referral bodies have previously directed harsh criticism at the government’s proposal.
