Six police officers from Copenhagen Police are facing prosecution in three separate cases involving misconduct committed while on duty, including charges related to abandoning an intoxicated man near a highway where he was later killed trying to cross the road.
The cases involve serious allegations of abuse of authority, falsification of reports, illegal possession of weapons, improper storage of evidence, and possession of controlled substances. According to three indictments obtained by TV2, the officers were part of the emergency response team at Station City in Copenhagen and belonged to a closed Snapchat group named WOTC, believed to reference the television series “We own this city.”
Investigation by Independent Authority
The Independent Police Complaints Authority has been investigating these cases since October 31, 2023, when the six officers were initially charged with aggravated theft in connection with their duties, abuse of authority, and possession and distribution of controlled substances.
While the most serious allegations that officers may have stolen drugs and attempted to sell them have been dropped, the investigation uncovered sufficient evidence to prosecute the officers for multiple other offenses.
Intoxicated Man Abandoned Near Highway
Two police officers face charges for an incident that occurred on January 3, 2022, shortly after 4:00 a.m. The officers had administratively detained a heavily intoxicated and drug-impaired man and drove him to an area near Copenhagen Shooting Center at the northern end of Kalvebod Fælled.
According to the indictment, they left the man there and departed. Around 4:25 a.m., the man died after attempting to cross the highway and being struck by a truck. Prosecutors allege the officers abused their positions by abandoning the man in this location.
The stated purpose of removing the man was to prevent him from returning to a specific address. However, the two officers also face charges for abuse of authority and falsifying report materials related to the episode.
False Reports Filed
The indictment describes how the officers failed to disclose where they actually left the man. Instead, contrary to the truth, they claimed they had dropped him off at a bus stop on Vejlands Alle near Sjællandsbroen.
Additionally, one of these officers is charged with theft during a police operation on February 16, 2023, allegedly stealing four Alprazolam tablets branded “Galenika – Ksalol – 1 mg” for personal use. These pills are described as potent benzodiazepines. He also faces charges under narcotics laws for possessing the illegal pills.
Weapons and Evidence Stored Improperly
A police assistant from Copenhagen Police is charged with cocaine possession and gross negligence in service. According to the indictment, on October 31, 2023, around 5:00 a.m., the officer was found in possession of 0.37 grams of cocaine at an address in Nørrebro. The possession was allegedly for personal use.
Simultaneously, the police assistant faces charges for several serious service violations. For an unspecified period leading up to that date, he allegedly failed to register multiple items that should have been logged as evidence in connection with police operations.
Sports Bag Contained Weapons
According to the indictment, these items included three gas and signal pistols, three magazines with ammunition, a box of ammunition, and a machete with a 38-centimeter blade. The items were neither registered nor stored properly.
Instead, they were kept in a black sports bag in an unlocked cabinet at the defendant’s desk at Police Headquarters in Copenhagen. This violates both internal police guidelines and regulations governing weapons handling.
Pistols and Ammunition in Bedroom
The final indictment targets three officers, with one police officer charged under aggravating circumstances with possessing a functional semi-automatic pistol without ammunition when his residence was searched on October 31, 2023.
He is also charged with gross negligence or carelessness in service. During the same search, officers found he was storing 54 “action 3” type cartridges belonging to the police on top of a dresser in a bedroom, rather than in a secure cabinet as required.
Furthermore, the same officer is charged with storing sensitive personal information on his private mobile phone. This included a photo of a list of members of the banned gang Loyal to Familia, images, names and social security numbers of 60 people, and three videos showing images of two arrests.
Additional Weapons Violations
Two other officers are jointly charged with possessing a functional semi-automatic pistol without ammunition under similar circumstances. One of these two faces an additional charge for possessing an illegal spring knife approximately five months after the initial searches.
No Comments From Prosecutors
The State Prosecutor in Copenhagen has filed charges against the six officers. However, the prosecution declined to comment on the cases or the charges to TV2.
In a press release, the prosecution previously stated that the Police Complaints Authority conducted an extensive investigation. Based on that investigation and a prosecutorial assessment, the State Prosecutor in Copenhagen decided not to file charges in the original matter involving alleged drug theft and distribution.
The cases highlight ongoing concerns about police accountability and internal oversight. Naturally, the charges span a range of offenses from administrative violations to serious criminal conduct. The outcomes of these prosecutions could have significant implications for police procedures and supervision in Denmark.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Danish Police Fly to Greenland as U.S. Visit Sparks Tensions
The Danish Dream: Best Criminal Defence Lawyers in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Betjente satte beruset mand af før dødsulykke – flere retssager er på vej
