Renewed criticism of the Swedish Police Authority for the slow and passive processing of two preliminary investigations into crimes against property

Summary of the decision: In two preliminary investigations into crimes against property, the Swedish Police Authority has failed to take any investigative measures for just over six years and two years respectively. The Parliamentary Ombudsman states that the Swedish Police Authority’s passive processing is in contravention of the requirement of the Code of Judicial Procedure (SFS 1942:740) that preliminary investigations be conducted as expeditiously as possible and is wholly unacceptable. The Swedish Police Authority is severely criticised for how both preliminary investigations have been handled.

The Parliamentary Ombudsmen have repeatedly criticised the Swedish Police Authority over recent years for slow processing of preliminary investigations into crimes against property. According to the Parliamentary Ombudsman, shortcomings in the Swedish Police Authority’s investigative operations risk seriously damaging public confidence in the authority.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman emphasises that it is critical that the Swedish Police Authority continues its work to reduce processing times for investigations into crimes against property.