The incident with the teenager occurred in Stockholm and the boy has now been sentenced to 30 daily fines totaling 1,500 kronor. The verdict is one of the first since the law on insult to officials came into force on July 2.
The law means that anyone who insults a police officer, judge or official at an authority can be sentenced to fines or imprisonment for up to six months.
Over 600 reports
From July 2 to September 24, the police have received 639 reports of the crime, according to figures from the police.
By the end of August, 14 prosecutions had been initiated, according to the Prosecution Authority. Examples of cases that have led to prosecution include, among other things, a pensioner who said "damn police cunt" to a police officer in Strömstad last summer, the pensioner was acquitted in court.
Other examples that have led to prosecution include words such as "damn arab", "fags", "dirty jews" and "whore".
Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (The Moderate Party) thinks it's too early to assess whether over 600 police reports after just three months is reasonable, but adds that the law has been introduced for a reason.
It has happened that police officers and other officials who bear the citizens' trust have been subjected to major abuses without consequences, he says.
Large scope
In September, a 16-year-old was convicted of saying "cocksucker" to a police officer. When asked if it is reasonable, Strömmer replies:
Yes, that's what the court obviously thought.
He thinks there is a very large scope for speaking clearly, even to publicly employed officials.
But there are limits when you attack not only the individual police officer but the entire society that stands behind the police.
At the same time, a pensioner who said "damn police cunt" was acquitted.
It will take a little time before it crystallizes exactly where the limits are, says Strömmer.
Region – Reported crimes, July 2 to September 24
Bergslagen – 51 reports
Mitt – 83 reports
Nord – 40 reports
Stockholm – 168 reports
Syd – 112 reports
Väst – 122 reports
Öst – 63 reports
Source: The Police
