Interior Minister’s Cousin Lands Leading Police Position

Birna Guðmundsdóttir was hired over more qualified applicants the same time as the police launched an investigation of her cousin Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir, the Minister of the Interior, reports DV.

Earlier this month, Birna obtained a high ranking position with the Police Academy around the time the investigation of her cousin, Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir, Minister of the Interior, was launched.

The job involves handling the training and re-education of all police officers in Iceland.

Birna was offered the job despite having only two years experience, considerably less than several other applicants.

DV reached out to 18 other applicants for the position. Among them were women and men with 10-20 years of experience with the Icelandic police force, some with degrees in criminal science, business and law.

The Police Academy itself recommended three candidates for job based on knowledge and experience but Birna was not on that list.

The National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, Haraldur Johannessen works under the Minister of the Interior and DV reported that the familial connection caused dissatisfaction among the other applicants.

Further Reading

Interior Ministry To Be Investigated By Police

Seven Charges Submitted To Police Against Interior Minister

State Prosecutor Demands Answers From Interior Minister