National police chief steps down amid scandal

Denmark’s national police chief Thorkild Fogde is leaving his post and will instead lead the Copenhagen West police district, the Justice Ministry announced Tuesday.

The move follows sustained criticism after the national audit office found police had systematically closed cases without investigation, misleading citizens into believing their reports had been pursued. The practice, first exposed by public broadcaster DR, became known as “police washing.”

Fogde had initially denied the existence of such practices, both publicly and in internal reviews, until the audit office’s reports in March contradicted those claims. The discrepancy eroded trust in his leadership and communication with political decision-makers.

His tenure was also marked by other controversies, including the illegal use of action cards during the mink cull in 2020, which led to a six-month suspension while authorities investigated potential misconduct. Though cleared, Fogde later faced criticism over workplace culture within the police force.

He will be succeeded by Lasse Boje Nielsen, a veteran leader with experience in the Justice Ministry, the National Unit for Special Crime, and the Director of Public Prosecutions. Nielsen is expected to address the ongoing challenges in police leadership and resource management.

Fogde, who has not commented on his departure, previously served as director of the Prison and Probation Service and held various senior roles in the Justice Ministry and police leadership.