Until now, Icelandic police officers have not been armed with guns but in response to the increase in violent crimes, handguns have now been placed in some police vehicles. The plan is to continue with this development so that firearms are always at hand.
Icelandic Police Officers. Copyright: Icelandic Photo Agency.
According to Morgunblaðið’s sources within the authorities responsible, there isn’t always time for police officers to collect firearms from the closest control center where they are kept.
The police must tend to all cases that arise and therefore the necessary equipment must be within reach inside their vehicles, the sources state. Police officers are trained to carry firearms and they must think about their own safety.
Steinar Adolfsson, managing director of the National Association of Police Officers, said the association has not published its opinion on the matter.
However, the use of firearms in recent crimes has given rise to questions about whether police officers have sufficient means to defend themselves at crime scenes where they may be exposed to firearms.
The police cannot search for criminals who are in the possession of guns armed only with a smile, he said.
There are various opinions on whether police officers should carry guns. Steinar said it is important that a professional review is carried out, along with an analysis of the circumstances and a risk assessment.
The same discussion is taking place in Norway where the local association of police officers has postponed their resolution on the matter for one year. In Norway, all police cars are equipped with firearms.
There was a shooting incident in Reykjavík last weekend. A third man who is suspected of having been involved has now been arrested, Fréttablaðið reports.
He is in his teens and was recently convicted for his part in a violent crime that has been referred to as the Black Pistons case. He was released after questioning while the other two suspects remain in custody.
The shotgun that was used in the attack remains unfound.
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