At the weekend, the police in Sør-Vest reported on Twitter a total of three cases where people had been reported for assaulting the police, after showing them the middle finger while they were out on a mission. This causes law professor at the University of Bergen, Hans Fredrik Marthinussen, to react. He says it is not a criminal offense to point the finger at the police, and refers to a decision from the Supreme Court. – The fact that on a Saturday evening, where you typically have many assignments, you choose to spend your time on someone who points the finger, indicates that you have a high self-image, and that you are unable to prioritize correctly. It is apt to weaken trust in the police, says Marthinussen to news. Hans Fredrik Marthinussen, law professor at the University of Bergen. Photo: Synne Lykkebø Hafsaas / news Hordaland The reviews have also created great engagement on Twitter. At the time of writing, one of the police’s Twitter messages about the incidents has received 221 replies, with the vast majority critical of the police’s handling. Think the police are a pain in the ass – But shouldn’t the police be allowed to go to work without being harassed, and don’t they have the same right to report as everyone else? – Basically, the police have better protection than others. I don’t know how many middle fingers are shown in traffic, but neither you nor I can complain about that, replies Marthinussen. At the same time, he says that other actions directed at the police can, however, be punished, says the law professor. – If you scold a police officer on duty, it is punishable. One has to put up with a middle finger. There is no reason for the police to spend time on it. There must be a way to be a hair wound. If you show the middle finger to the police, that alone will not be punishable, says law professor Marthinussen. At the same time, he says that in connection with other things, it can still be punishable. – Something more context is needed, and it depends on the situation. If you are very aggressive, it can be punishable. DEPOSITED: Police prosecutor Sveinung Andersen has assessed the three cases where officials were shown the finger this weekend. All cases have now been dropped. Photo: Marthe Synnøve Johannessen / news Download all the cases Sveinung Andersen is a police attorney in the Sør-Vest police district. He confirms that three criminal cases were opened over the weekend after officials were shown the finger. He has now decided on all three cases. – The three cases from the weekend have all been on my table for assessment. The conditions for punishment are not present, and all the cases have been dropped, Andersen tells news. When asked why the police spend time and resources investigating these cases, he points out that the police administer a set of rules. – Here, officials have reported the cases to get an assessment, and a report is not the same as punishing. The conditions for punishment are not present, and in that sense this is completely undramatic. – Does it show that the police are too sensitive when all three cases are dismissed? – I have been on patrols a number of times, and seen how much the police get served. I would rather say they are patient, rather than hair-raising, says Andersen, who also emphasizes that the events took place in connection with other things. – Uses minimal resources on this Police Advocate Andersen is also aware that the police do not use large resources to process reports such as those sent in at the weekend. – We use minimal resources on this. It doesn’t overturn the load, and we take it very calmly, he says. At the same time, he also has a call for what those who may be dissatisfied with the police’s efforts should do. – They can come and talk to us, and use the language we have been assigned, to express that they are not satisfied, says police attorney Andersen.
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– One has to put up with a middle finger – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
