Danish Justice Minister Reshuffles Police Leadership Amid Case Dismissal Criticism

Denmark's Justice Minister Nicolai Wammen has initiated a major leadership shake-up within the national police force, affecting top positions in both the National Police (Rigspolitiet) and the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET). The reshuffling comes amid significant criticism from the National Audit Office concerning the police's practice of dismissing cases, a phenomenon often referred to as "police washing."

Wammen stated that the decision to change leadership, including the departure of National Police Chief Thorkild Fogde, is directly connected to the ongoing scrutiny of these dismissed cases. "I have wanted to assemble the strongest possible team for the tasks facing the police in the coming period," Wammen said. "This includes, not least, following up on the National Audit Office's harsh criticism of the police's dismissal of cases, which I take very seriously."

As part of the changes, Lasse Boje Nielsen, currently the State Prosecutor (Rigsadvokat), will assume the role of the new National Police Chief. Thorkild Fogde, the outgoing National Police Chief, is set to become the police director for the Copenhagen West police district.

The article also briefly touches upon other unrelated news items, including a court sentencing for arson, a busy weekend for lifeguards due to warm weather, a Danish athlete's adjustment to a new competition field, and a Netto store in Rønne equipped with a backup generator. It also mentions the police's new capability to test for nitrous oxide in traffic, growing extremism in Germany, cybersecurity concerns, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the EU labor market.

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I have wanted to assemble the strongest possible team for the tasks facing the police in the coming period. This includes, not least, following up on the National Audit Office's harsh criticism of the police's dismissal of cases, which I take very seriously.