Recently uncovered documents reveal major flaws in Denmark’s police oversight investigation of a deadly arrest in Tjæreborg, prompting experts to call for the case to be reopened.
Deadly Arrest in a Small Danish Town
Four years ago, a quiet bike path in Tjæreborg became the scene of a violent police arrest. Twenty-nine-year-old truck driver Lukasz Makala, originally from Poland, was detained after setting fire to a trash bin in his room and fleeing. Witnesses reported that officers struck him repeatedly while he lay face-down on the ground. Two days later, he died at Esbjerg Hospital.
The case was investigated by the Danish Independent Police Complaints Authority, known as DUP, which later concluded that police had not used unlawful force. Until now, details of that investigation remained classified.
Secret Files Reveal Gaps in the Investigation
Hundreds of pages of internal material, including witness statements, radio communications, and medical records, have now been obtained by Danish media. They reveal significant inconsistencies and missing steps in the DUP’s work, leading legal and policing experts to describe the investigation as incomplete.
A former police investigator who reviewed all the documents pointed out that a key witness to the arrest was never interviewed by DUP. That witness, a woman who observed the entire scene, later told reporters she saw officers kicking and beating Makala while he was already restrained. According to experts, this testimony could have greatly influenced the timeline and interpretation of events.
This renewed scrutiny of the DUP adds to criticism of the Danish justice system and its handling of cases involving police conduct.
Dispute Over What Happened and for How Long
In the original case file, officers gave conflicting accounts of how long Makala remained pinned face-down. One officer said it was roughly three minutes, while others admitted it lasted far longer. Based on radio logs and official statements, experts now estimate that Makala may have been on his stomach for up to 18 minutes—far longer than the brief duration mandated in police training.
Surprisingly, DUP’s investigation never included a physical reconstruction of the arrest. That omission, experts argue, makes it impossible to confirm whether procedures were followed correctly. The lack of follow-up interviews with the involved officers also raises questions about the quality of the evidence used to clear them of wrongdoing.
Experts Call for a New Review of the Case
Legal scholars at the University of Southern Denmark believe the case should be reopened. They argue that failing to interview crucial witnesses and skipping key reconstruction work means DUP may have ended its investigation prematurely. Reopening the case could also have implications for possible compensation claims from Makala’s relatives.
Danish police oversight cases like this are handled as “emergency response” inquiries whenever a person dies or is seriously injured during or after detention. Yet review reports show that most of these investigations are closed without charges. Between 2020 and 2024, DUP closed more than seventy similar cases; only one ever led to prosecution.
DUP and Prosecutor Reject the Criticism
DUP’s leadership defends the investigation, insisting that officers carried out a “thorough” and “professional” process based on available evidence. They said the witness who later came forward was not originally identified as having seen the incident and that a reconstruction was not deemed necessary at the time. Only one of the four officers involved was re-interviewed.
The State Prosecutor’s Office, which ultimately decided to drop the case, also stands by the original conclusion. It maintains that there was no reasonable suspicion of criminal behavior and that further steps, such as reconstructing the arrest, would not likely have changed the outcome.
Lingering Questions About Accountability
The new revelations have reignited public debate about how police oversight is managed in Denmark. Critics argue that legal independence on paper does not always translate to effective accountability in practice. While government leaders continue to express full confidence in law enforcement, the newly disclosed documents suggest systemic weaknesses that go far beyond this one tragedy.
As investigations and media scrutiny continue, the family of Lukasz Makala still awaits a clear answer about what really happened in Tjæreborg—and whether justice will ever be served.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Danish Justice System Criticized Over Assault Case
The Danish Dream: Best Criminal Defence Lawyers in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Hidtil hemmeligholdte dokumenter blotlægger mangelfuld efterforskning af DUP
