Northeast Iceland police seek 154 million krónur for seven officers

The Northeast Iceland Police are seeking 154 million krónur to add seven officers and respond to increased demands from organised crime, violence involving children and border controls, mbl.is reports.

The request appears in the police district’s comments on next year’s budget bill, signed by Chief of Police Páley Borgþórsdóttir. The district says its workload has grown faster than its funding in recent years and calls for more officers on shifts, a stronger investigations unit and better response capacity outside regular working hours.

The chief of police expressed particular concern about rising cases in which children are both perpetrators and victims of violence. The district is seeking 44 million krónur to fund two positions focused on these cases.

A further 110 million krónur would fund five positions to strengthen general policing, investigations and border controls. The district also points to increased activity by organised criminal groups and more complex investigations into drug offences, money laundering, human trafficking and international crime.

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

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