Danish audit report to reveal extent of police ‘washing’ cases without investigation

A long-awaited report by Denmark’s national audit office into allegations that police systematically close criminal cases without proper investigation will be published today, following a year-long probe triggered by revelations from public broadcaster DR.

The investigation by Rigsrevisionen (Denmark’s National Audit Office) was launched after DR exposed a practice known as “vask” (washing), where officers allegedly bury legitimate cases by failing to take necessary investigative steps—sometimes under instruction from superiors. The findings will be presented at a press conference at 13:00 local time.

“This is a crucial report with major implications for both citizens and the police,” said Adam Diderichsen, a police researcher and associate professor at the Danish Defence Academy. “We finally get solid data on how widespread this problem is, which will help us assess its severity and explore solutions.”

Last year, current and former officers told DR that police in some cases deliberately avoid steps needed to investigate crimes, allowing cases to be closed—or preventing them from being opened at all. Police leadership has previously denied to DR that cases are improperly dismissed.

Lack of oversight and trust at stake

Diderichsen emphasized that the practice risks undermining public trust in law enforcement. “If citizens can’t rely on police when needed, it erodes fundamental confidence in society,” he said. “Uninvestigated crimes also violate people’s sense of justice.”

The audit examined whether case dismissals complied with legal standards and efficient law enforcement, focusing on serious crimes—including violent offenses, human trafficking, and financial fraud—from 2019 to mid-2025.

Politicians demand answers

Lawmakers across parties have called for clarity. Karina Lorentzen, legal spokesperson for the Socialist People’s Party (SF), stressed the report’s importance for “trust in the rule of law,” while Hans Christian Skibby of the Denmark Democrats demanded “clear answers” to the allegations.

Preben Bang Henriksen, legal spokesperson for the Liberal Party (Venstre), warned the problem may extend far beyond reported cases. “I don’t believe officers start their day intending to abandon investigations,” he said. “But we must ensure they have the resources and staffing to do their jobs properly.”

The most recent police budget agreement includes a provision to address the audit’s findings.