Police chief seeks 154 million krónur to hire seven officers

The chief of the Northeast Iceland Police is seeking 154 million krónur to hire seven officers and address increased pressure from organised crime, violence involving children and border control, mbl.is reports.

The request is set out in the police district’s submission on next year’s budget bill, signed by Police Commissioner Páley Borgþórsdóttir. The district says its workload has grown faster than its funding in recent years. It says more officers are needed for shift work, the investigations unit must be strengthened, and response capacity outside regular working hours must be improved.

The submission raises particular concern about a rise in cases in which children are both perpetrators and victims of violent offences. The district is seeking 44 million krónur to fund two positions to handle these cases.

It is also requesting 110 million krónur for five positions to strengthen general policing, investigations and border control. The commissioner points to increased activity by organised criminal groups and more complex investigations involving drug offences, money laundering, human trafficking and international crime.

Expansion at Akureyri Airport and more work related to cruise ships have also added to the district’s workload. The introduction of new Schengen systems will require more staff, training and technical equipment.

The district welcomes plans in the budget bill to strengthen policing but says funding should reflect workload and the geographic position of police districts outside the capital region.