Special Police Unit Criticised For Not Following Protocol

A report has been released on the conduct of National Police Commissioner’s Special Unit when, in 2023, armed policemen searching for a perpetrator suspected of a violent offence entered a private home of people with no connection to the case. As RÚV reports, the officers were openly carrying firearms in front of children who were getting ready for school, and dragged one man out of the home before they realised their error.

The scene was captured on video by the victim’s home security, but not on police body cams, which the officers had failed to turn on prior to the operation.

The Police Surveillance Committee noted in their report that, in addition to the officers’ body cams being inactive, officers didn’t take a report from the home’s inhabitants and did not offer support or counselling in the wake of the event.

Replying to the committee, the National Police Commissioner reasoned that the special unit officers did not turn on their cameras as they remained outside and had not entered the premises. He further reasoned that turning on their cameras would take up precious time if an altercation between police and suspects were to happen.

The committee issued three recommendations in their report on the incident. First, the National Police Commissioner should file a police report after incidents like these; second, that members of the special unit should be instructed to turn on their body cameras in similar operations; and third, the Police Commissioner should implement comprehensive protocol concerning the police’s response where officers enter the wrong location.