Severe criticism of the Swedish Police Authority for the unlawful use of coercive measures when intervening against multiple people

Summary of the decision: While on a skiing holiday in Vemdalen, several members of a party were suspected of minor drug offences. Based on these suspicions, the individuals were body searched and questioned and the cabin in which the party was temporarily staying was searched. A large number of police officers participated in the intervention, which lasted for several hours. The Parliamentary Ombudsman’s investigation has revealed that there were no legal grounds for searching the premises and that there were a number of other errors and shortcomings.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman severely criticises the Swedish Police Authority for, among other things, unlawfully holding the suspects under guard during the intervention. The Parliamentary Ombudsman also criticises one police officer for handcuffing one of the suspects and transporting them on the floor of a police bus.

In light of the errors and shortcomings, the Parliamentary Ombudsman emphasises the importance of ensuring that everyone involved in a decision to take coercive measures, or in the enforcement of that decision, is clear on which measures can be legally taken and the prerequisites for doing so.