Denmark’s police watchdog has opened an investigation into a high-profile arrest, but the odds of prosecution are slim: last year the authority registered 1,778 new cases yet only 18 led to criminal charges against officers.
The Independent Police Complaints Authority, known by its Danish acronym DUP, confirmed it is now formally investigating the arrest that has dominated recent headlines. The authority operates as a stand-alone body under chapter 11 a of the Administration of Justice Act. It was set up in 2012 after criticism that internal police reviews lacked credibility.
When police officers are suspected of criminal offences during an arrest, such as excessive force or unlawful detention, the case must be referred to DUP rather than handled by ordinary police investigators. The watchdog will examine whether the arrest met the legal threshold: reasonable grounds to suspect the person and necessity to secure their presence or protect the investigation. DUP typically gathers body camera footage, CCTV, medical records and witness statements. If the detained person was injured, an independent forensic exam is usually ordered.
A System That Rarely Prosecutes
The real question is what happens after the investigation ends. In 2023, DUP registered 1,778 new cases covering both criminal allegations and complaints about police conduct. Of those, only 18 resulted in criminal charges against officers, roughly one percent. Another 33 cases led to internal disciplinary action.
That charge rate has held steady for years. Back in 2015, DUP handled about 1,440 cases and the number leading to charges remained in the double digits. Caseload has risen 23 percent over eight years while prosecutions have barely budged.
By comparison, Norway’s police investigation bureau received 1,312 reports in 2023 and brought charges in 55 cases, a rate of 4.2 percent. Sweden’s special prosecution office for police cases decided 947 matters last year and charged officers in 25, a 2.6 percent rate. Denmark prosecutes far less often.
How the Process Works
After DUP completes an investigation, it sends a case file to the regional state prosecutor with a recommendation on whether to charge. The prosecutor makes the final call. If the prosecutor declines, that decision can be appealed to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Beyond that, there is no further appeal to the Justice Ministry.
Most cases are dropped. DUP stresses that it investigates all matters objectively and thoroughly to safeguard legal rights for everyone involved. Critics argue the numbers tell a different story. A 2020 academic review found that complainant satisfaction with DUP decisions is low and that the system remains less transparent than comparable bodies in Norway and the UK.
The Foreign National Gap
Neither DUP nor the National Police publishes statistics on complaints by citizenship or nationality. That makes it impossible to know how many cases involve foreign nationals, even though non-Danish citizens made up 11.3 percent of Denmark’s population in January 2024, up from 8.5 percent in 2015.
For internationals, the system poses practical barriers. DUP’s complaint forms and website are overwhelmingly in Danish. There is no full English-language portal. While you are entitled to an interpreter during police questioning, drafting a formal written complaint often requires help from a Danish-speaking lawyer or friend. Legal aid may be available for civil compensation claims following an unlawful arrest, subject to income limits.
Calls for Reform
Opposition parties, including the Socialist People’s Party, have tabled proposals to overhaul the complaints system. They want DUP to handle all types of police complaints, not just criminal allegations, and to take over charging decisions from regional prosecutors. The argument is that splitting responsibilities between DUP, prosecutors and the police’s own internal channels is confusing and undermines trust.
The Justice Ministry and prosecution service defend the current setup. They say state prosecutors have the necessary experience to assess evidence and that DUP’s independence is already guaranteed. Police unions argue that low charge rates simply reflect that most complaints are unfounded and officers usually act lawfully under pressure.
Anyone who believes Danish police used unlawful force or carried out an unlawful arrest can submit a complaint or report to DUP, usually in writing. You can also request access to your case file and arrest documents. Reports about alleged criminal offences by police go directly to DUP, which decides whether to open a criminal investigation. There is no rigid deadline for criminal reports, but filing quickly helps preserve evidence like CCTV and medical records.
What to Expect
Given the data, expats should not expect quick results or a high likelihood of prosecution. The investigation into this particular arrest will take months. When it concludes, DUP will issue a written decision and the complainant will be informed whether charges are brought. If not, the case can be appealed once more before it is closed for good.
Denmark’s system meets the formal test for independence. But for a body handling nearly 1,800 cases a year, 18 prosecutions is a thin return. Whether that reflects rigorous evidentiary standards or structural reluctance to hold officers accountable remains the central debate, and one this latest high-profile investigation is unlikely to settle.
