policy_strategy

Ombudsman: Military Police Cannot Investigate Crimes

The Ombudsman has determined that the military police do not have the right to investigate crimes within the Armed Forces. An agreement with the Police Authority and the Public Prosecutor's Office is considered legally invalid.

Ombudsman: Military Police Cannot Investigate Crimes
Ombudsman (JO) Per Lennerbrant has determined that the military police do not have the right to investigate crimes committed within the Swedish Armed Forces. According to JO, there is no legal support for the military police to assist police or prosecutors in criminal investigations, according to an article from Dagens Juridik.

— The task of the military police is to maintain public order and security within the Swedish Armed Forces. Investigating a committed crime is not included in the military police's mission description. My conclusion is that there is no legislative support that makes it possible for the military police to assist in a criminal investigation, says JO Per Lennerbrant to Dagens Juridik.

A current agreement with the Police Authority and the Public Prosecutor's Office that allows the military police to assist in criminal investigations is deemed legally invalid by JO. JO has also pointed out that the authority for police officers should be regulated directly by law and not by ordinance, and has raised the issue with the government.

– The military police have always assisted police and prosecutors in criminal investigations within the Swedish Armed Forces. However, JO has now determined that the legal conditions for this are lacking, writes the Moderate Member of Parliament and member of the Justice Committee Fredrik Kärrholm, on X (formerly Twitter), and continues:

– Then we simply need to enact the necessary laws. An obvious necessity.

FAQ

Vad har JO beslutat om militärpolisens roll?
JO har beslutat att militärpolisen inte har rätt att utreda brott inom Försvarsmakten.
Vad innebär JO:s beslut för nuvarande överenskommelser?
JO bedömer nuvarande överenskommelser med Polismyndigheten och Åklagarmyndigheten som rättsligt ogiltiga.
Vad föreslår JO angående behörigheten för polismän?
JO föreslår att behörigheten för polismän bör regleras direkt i lag och inte genom förordning.