The Labor Party and the Green Party do not want the police to evaluate themselves – NRK Norway – Summary of news from different parts of the country

Police Director Benedicte Bjørnland confirmed Tuesday that the Police Directorate wants an evaluation to analyze “learning points after the Jensen case.”

– This is something that we have considered since the hearing in the Court of Appeals, but naturally we have had to wait until the verdict is final. We are currently doing the final evaluations and working on a mandate for the evaluation, says Bjørnland.

When asked whether an internal or open assessment is planned, the Police Directorate informs NRK that it should be allowed to return to this.

– We will return with the composition and mandate of the evaluation committee when they are ready, says Bjørnland.

Was put on hold

It was former Justice Minister Per-Willy Amundsen (Frp) who first called for an investigation. This happened as early as 2017, when Jensen was convicted in the district court.

– It would have been an advantage with an outside investigation. It has aroused greater confidence and it has been necessary given the case and what has emerged. When I was Minister of Justice, I wanted such an investigation and I thought it had to be done externally.

The police investigation never began, and in 2018 NRK was able to report that the government had postponed the investigation until there was a final trial.

– Unfortunately, it didn’t start at that time. I think it would have been nice. Better late than never, but the investigation must be done externally. It seemed more reliable and independent, says Amundsen.

Workmanship: – Obvious errors

It was previously known that there were a series of warnings against Jensen in the period 2000 to 2011. Jensen’s former boss, Einar Aas, tells NRK that he is sure of an investigation by the police.

– I think a lot of people want to forget this case very quickly. Be a bit blunt in your use of language: It’s a nasty and horrible case for the police, says Aas.

Lene Vågslid, who is on the Labor Party’s justice committee, also believes that the investigation should be carried out by third parties.

He points out that the Norwegian Police Association has meant the same thing, partly because the police want to regain the trust they have lost.

Vågslid believes that an internal investigation will not be of equal value.

– I think an internal investigation is also positive. The Police Directorate and the police must also investigate. But the big overhaul needs to be done externally, as we’ve meant from the beginning, he says.

PF leader Sigve Bolstad has not responded to the NRK inquiry on this case.

Mæland: trust POD

At present, Justice Minister Monica Mæland (H) will not say anything about how the investigation will be, nor will she pressure the Director of Police.

– The police director is working on that. They are forming a group and until I am ready I will have no opinion on it. Obviously there are conditions we must learn from, but we must get back to form and content, says Mæland.

Mæland says there are “obvious learning points” in this case.

– I am confident that it will be done in a way that contributes to preventing this from happening again. We have seen conditions where obvious mistakes have been made. It’s important that it be done in a way that inspires trust and legitimacy, and I think the police director will make sure of that, he says.