The case in summary: Former sheriff Asbjørn Skåland is to be investigated by the Bureau of Police Affairs. Skåland was involved in the sale of land in Flekkefjord’s largest business park while he was sheriff, without informing the police management. Skåland withdrew from all companies around 2011, but continued to be involved as an “observer” at board meetings and in negotiations with the municipality. The Bureau will now investigate whether Skåland went too far in relation to what he was allowed to do as a police officer. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Rune Fossum in the Bureau of Police Affairs confirms today that they have started an investigation into former sheriff in Flekkefjord Asbjørn Skåland. – At the hearing, we have had the case for a preliminary and initial assessment. When an investigation has now been opened, the case will be transferred to our investigation department, says Fossum. A lawyer and an official will then decide which investigative steps are to be taken in the case. Former sheriff Asbjørn Skåland has so far not responded to news’s inquiries, but has spoken to the newspaper Agder. – I think it makes sense for all parties. I still think I haven’t done anything wrong. But that is why it will be good to have this investigated in a proper way, says Skåland to the newspaper. Skåland became a pensioner from the new year and is thus not in active service. It was after news started working on this case that the police in Agder chose to report the case with the sheriff to the Bureau. Dealing with property Skåland dealt with property together with a police colleague. The two started a company in 2006, and eventually there were more companies. All this happened at the same time as they were working in the police. In 2008, one company bought a large property from Flekkefjord municipality. They were to divide it into smaller plots of land and sell them to trade and businesses. But after a review with the police, the sheriff stopped owning property around 2011. He sold everything to his wife, and resigned from all positions. The other policeman had to resign from most of his board positions. The background for this was strict rules for employees in the police for so-called bee acquisitions. The rules must, among other things, prevent disqualification. When Asbjørn Skåland formally retired from the company in 2011, his wife took over the shares in the property company. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news Continued behind the police chief’s back Before Christmas, news revealed that Skåland and the policeman had continued with property. Both had attended board meetings as so-called observers, and both had negotiated with the municipality on behalf of the company. Now the Bureau will investigate whether the sheriff went too far in relation to what he was allowed to do. – We have received information about the case and it provides evidence that there are reasonable grounds for opening an investigation. It is a term that does not require too much suspicion that a criminal offense may have occurred, says Fossum. The Bureau has not started the investigation into the other policeman yet. – We will look at the other service person quickly. According to this policeman, the police in Agder have informed him that there is nothing to indicate that he should be investigated. Beyond this, he will not comment on the matter. – Saw nothing wrong When news spoke to former sheriff Skåland before Christmas, he explained that he withdrew completely from all companies – by agreement with the police chief in Agder. He admitted to having been involved. Among other things, by attending meetings as an “observer” for the wife, who took over the shares. This is what he told news then: – I was interested in following the development of the area that I helped start, and as the spouse of one of the owners. – Was it clarified with the chief of police? – No, as the meetings were of such a nature that I did not consider it.
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The special unit will investigate the former sheriff – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
