Swedish police officer worked as instructor at shooting range used by gang criminals

A Swedish police officer worked for over a decade as an instructor at a shooting range frequently used by gang criminals, according to an investigation by *Dagens Nyheter* (DN). Despite internal warnings, the officer remained on duty until DN’s report prompted his removal.

The officer reportedly served as both an instructor and booking manager at the facility, which has been linked to at least 30 investigations into weapons offences and murders between 2010 and 2023. Suspected criminals with ties to the site were identified in multiple cases, DN reports.

In 2022, Sweden’s National Operational Department (NOA) proposed forming a task force to shut down the range, according to sources cited by DN. The officer’s continued employment there—despite his association with a former site manager described as a criminal with white supremacist ties—raised further concerns.

A female officer previously employed at the range was later dismissed from the police force due to her ongoing association with the same manager. The male officer, however, faced no consequences despite leadership being alerted to his side job around 2021.

Additional red flags included the officer’s suspicion for data intrusion and flying a drone over a protected site at night, though both investigations were dropped.

Following DN’s findings, the officer was removed from duty. “You’ve woken us up,” security chief Christer Johansson told DN, acknowledging the severity of the case. National Police Commissioner Petra Lundh has ordered a review of the force’s handling of the matter and its broader security protocols.

The officer declined to comment on the allegations but claimed he no longer works at the range and denied involvement in training activities.