Police Complaints Authority investigates two use-of-force cases in Aarhus
Two men have filed complaints about police conduct during arrests on Saturday evening in western Aarhus.
Police Complaints Authority investigates two use-of-force cases in Aarhus
Two complaints about violent conduct by police have prompted the Danish Police Complaints Authority (DUP) to open investigations. The incidents occurred Saturday at around half past ten in the evening on a road in western Aarhus.
One complainant is 27 years old. He reportedly filmed an arrest when a dog handler directed verbal abuse towards him. According to an eyewitness, the officer shouted an offensive phrase with a racist undertone. Recordings obtained by a newspaper back up this account.
The young man attempted to flee by running away but was caught. During the arrest, an officer kicked him with his foot while he was subdued on the ground. This episode was already reported on Sunday.
The second complainant is a 34-year-old who was a passenger in a car that was stopped by the patrol. During the arrest, he was forced face-down onto the asphalt and held down with handcuffs. Images show that his upper arm bore signs of blows afterwards.
Lawyer Tobias Engby is representing both individuals. He reports that both were released the same night. Neither he nor the authorities have been willing to disclose whether charges have been brought against either of the two.
The 27-year-old was questioned by the Danish Police Complaints Authority on Monday about both the physical attack and the demeaning language.
A professor from the University of Southern Denmark, Frederik Waage, believes that police officers' use of derogatory ethnic terms could fall under the racism statute or at least constitute neglect of duty. A researcher from Aalborg University, Mira C. Skadegaard, adds that such outbursts reflect an inability to manage one's own prejudices under pressure.
Source: Ekstra Bladet
Source: Ekstra Bladet