Criminologist Leif GW Persson criticizes the new Swedish-Norwegian police station, questioning its effectiveness in combating cross-border crime. He suggests that the station's location is impractical and doubts its longevity, humorously proposing a statue of Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer on a donkey as a tribute.
Leif GW Persson Criticizes New Swedish-Norwegian Police Station
Leif GW Persson Criticizes New Swedish-Norwegian Police Station
Leif GW Persson dismisses the new Swedish-Norwegian police station. On TV4's 'Nyhetsmorgon', he suggests that Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer should be commemorated with a statue at the station when it closes.
On Wednesday, Norway's Crown Prince Haakon and Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria inaugurated the joint police station on the border between Eda Municipality in Värmland County and Eidskog Municipality in Innlandet County.
According to the government, the police station aims to strengthen cooperation against cross-border crime.
"Criminals see no borders. Now, neither does the police," said Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) at the inauguration, according to TV4 news.
Persson's Critique of the Minister
Criminology professor Leif GW Persson, however, dismisses Strömmer's description of the police station as a "powerful weapon," calling the measure "foolish."
"It's nonsense, of course. Why is it located there? Is that where all the smugglers are?" he said on TV4's 'Nyhetsmorgon' on Sunday.
Persson believes that border surveillance cannot be stationary and must adapt to where crime is currently occurring.
He doubts the police station will remain in ten years.
"It will probably become some kind of memorial to Gunnar Strömmer. The only thing missing is a statue of him outside. Hopefully on a donkey, as that seems to have been his spiritual guide," he said on Nyhetsmorgon.