Faxe Municipality in Denmark is facing heavy criticism after it filed police reports against two parents who criticized the municipality online, despite internal legal advice warning that no law had been broken.
Parents Reported to Police Over Facebook Posts
Lars Torpenholt Jørgensen, a father from Rønnede with two children with disabilities, found himself under police investigation after posting a critical message about Faxe Municipality on Facebook. He shared his frustration over repeated case errors and mentioned the names of two caseworkers. Another parent reposted his message.
Despite warnings from the municipality’s own lawyers that the post was not criminal, both parents were reported to the police.
The background of the dispute goes back to the municipality’s handling of children’s social cases. Jørgensen’s son had lived in an institution for four years and was supposed to return home. The municipality had promised to arrange a school placement but failed to deliver, forcing Jørgensen to stay home for months. When he applied for compensation for lost earnings, his request was rejected. The Facebook post that prompted the case came after that decision.
Legal Experts Call It Poor Governance
According to internal emails obtained through public records, Faxe Municipality’s legal department clearly advised against filing the complaint. They concluded there was no legal basis for a criminal case. However, the head of the family department proceeded with the police report anyway, arguing it was necessary to protect employees and send a message to residents.
Legal specialists from the University of Copenhagen and Aalborg University have called the move both “an overreaction” and “a serious administrative mistake.” They argue the municipality should have addressed ongoing problems in its family department rather than target citizens who express criticism.
This type of action can be considered “unjustified administration,” known in Danish law as *magtfordrejning*—an abuse of authority for an unrelated purpose.
A History of Systemic Failures
Faxe Municipality has already been under fire for mismanaging children’s cases. A review last year revealed that more than 1,000 cases had major errors. Two-thirds contained mistakes, and in about one-third the errors were serious enough to raise concerns about the children’s safety.
Because of that, the municipality launched a recovery and development plan for the entire family services department.
Despite this troubled background, officials prioritized a police case against citizens instead of improving internal systems. Observers say this focus shows misplaced priorities and a lack of public trust in the administration’s judgment.
Police Drop the Case
The regional police department for South Zealand and Lolland-Falster confirmed that it received the reports but has now closed the case. Prosecutors found no reasonable suspicion that a crime had been committed.
The decision surprised some residents, as the parents only learned their cases were dropped after media inquiries were made.
For Jørgensen, relief was mixed with frustration. He was glad to avoid having a criminal record but upset that the process had drained time and resources for all involved.
He maintains that citizens have a right to speak openly about government failures. In his view, the municipality should defend its actions publicly rather than punish criticism.
Authority Overreach Raises Broader Concerns
This situation adds to ongoing national discussions about the balance between public employee protection and citizens’ free speech. It echoes broader Danish debates, such as criticism of government legislation gaps and transparency in administration.
Some legal experts believe the Faxe case may influence how other municipalities handle online criticism. While employees should never face harassment, they say reporting residents to the police for lawful criticism threatens public trust and democracy.
In the end, the police confirmed what the municipality’s own lawyers already knew: no crime was committed.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Best Lawyer in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: Alvorlig fodfejl: Kommune politianmeldte forældre trods advarsel fra egne jurister
