“There must be consequences” — Police union chair sounds alarm on officer safety
Fjölnir Sæmundsson, chairman of the National Union of Police Officers. Morgunblaðið/Sigurður Bogi
Fjölnir Sæmundsson, chairman of the National Union of Police Officers, says he is deeply concerned about the working conditions and safety of police officers in Iceland. He also suspects that the young men who recently threatened an officer at his home may have been manipulated by others.
As reported, four individuals were arrested in the early hours of Monday after allegedly showing up armed with knives at a police officer’s residence in Reykjavík.
Speaking to mbl.is, Sæmundsson emphasized that although this particular case is extreme, it is not isolated. He cited previous incidents, such as an arson attack on a police officer’s car parked outside his home, as well as cases in Suðurnes where someone repeatedly vandalized officers' personal and police vehicles.
Families and neighbors also at risk
“What we in the union — and police officers in general — are frustrated about is that these actions are not being prosecuted under Article 106 of the Penal Code, which covers attacks against public officials. Instead, they are often treated as simple property damage cases,” Sæmundsson said.
He stressed the gravity of the situation, noting that the officer in question lives in an apartment building, thereby endangering not only himself but also his family and neighbors.
“It’s not just police officers who are at risk — it’s primarily their families and neighbors. That’s why the union views this situation with serious concern,” he added.
Harassment on social media
Sæmundsson also expressed concern about the number of officers not registered with a legal residence in the national registry, as many try to hide their home addresses to protect themselves. This, he noted, creates complications in dealing with government systems.
He added that officers are often advised to avoid being too visible on social media, but it’s increasingly common for individuals to post pictures of police officers and verbally attack them online.
“We also view that as an attack, and I always encourage officers to report such incidents to the District Prosecutor. These are attacks on their dignity.”
A Nordic-wide pattern
Sæmundsson also warned that the nature of police work is changing and fears this could discourage new recruits.
“This issue has been raised among chairpersons of Nordic police unions. In Sweden, they’re very worried — fewer and fewer people want to become police officers, especially in major cities,” he said.
Asked whether a similar trend is emerging in Iceland, he replied:
“We’ve been trying to assess the situation here. Applications did seem to dip for a while but then picked up again, so it’s hard to say definitively. These patterns take time to confirm. But I do worry,” he added.
“And of course, I’m also concerned that officers with families will simply leave the force, unwilling to subject their loved ones to this kind of risk.”
Vulnerable youths being exploited
Reports indicate that the men who went to the officer’s home were all under 20, with the youngest just 15 years old. According to RÚV, the group may be connected to an individual the officer had previously stopped twice during traffic patrols. There has also been public discussion around criminal groups exploiting minors to commit offenses on their behalf.
Asked whether this could be such a case, Sæmundsson said he suspects so:
“We’re dealing with a societal issue, where socially vulnerable individuals are being exploited.”
He noted that this pattern is also seen in other Nordic countries, where organized crime groups recruit young, impressionable individuals to carry out illegal acts, keeping themselves at a distance from the scene.
“We must respond firmly”
In conclusion, Sæmundsson emphasized that the union is calling for those who threaten or attack police officers or damage their property to be prosecuted under laws pertaining to assaults on public servants.
“This kind of behavior won’t stop unless firm action is taken and perpetrators are convicted. There must be consequences.”
