65° - 01.11.1969, Page 14

Policing Reykjavik
Interview with
BJARKI ELIASSON
Chief Superintendent
They are the most visible members of the street
population in Reykjavik. If you’re a man, you
notice them because they are as tall or taller than
you. If you’re a woman you notice their good
looks and smart appearance and wonder why they
don’t look rumpled in the rains as do ordinary
folk. And if you’re guilty, you notice them be-
cause they are there.
Motorists crowding the speed limit marvel at
the way they materialize from the single clump
of bushes along an otherwiese barren road. Pe-
destrians about to cross on a red light are con-
fused by the uniformed giant who usually appears
on the sidewalk, and children regard them as
benevolent reminders of curfew time or as ex-
citing symbols of adventure.
The truth is that beneath the stern face lurks
a smile, and beneath the brass buttons beats a
heart.
“They are no angels,” admits Bjarki Eliasson,
chief superintendent of the Reykjavik police, “but
the police are often misrepresented because most
people regard them as “the law”, whereas they
are only the enforcers of the law and consequently
attract the antagonism meant for the legal system”.
But so as not to let “the law” get off too easily,
65° put forth its own questions:
Q. Has the Reykjavik police force increased since
you became superintendent and why?
A. I have only been superintendent for three
years, but have been in the police force for sixteen
years. The force has increased in proportion to
the population in that time, for according to law
there must be one policeman in Iceland for every
five hundred people, with an additional one third
comprising the State Police of Reykj avik. As well
as discharging regular duties, this body is called
out on special missions, such as pop festivals or
to potential trouble spots both in Reykjavik and
throughout the country. To date, the Reykjavik
police totals 210 men (some 160 based on the
city’s population and about 50 for special service,
though all are referred to generally as the Reykja-
vik police).
Q. How is the force divided?
A. Into ordinary patrolmen, traffic wardens,
detectives and women’s police. We need more
than the two women police we have, but there is
no space for them in our present building.
Q. What kinds of offences are on the increase?
A. Theft always increases from October to March
because the daylight in the other months is not
so convenient. With the advent of self-service
stores a few years ago, shoplifting became a pro-
blem. It comes rarely to our attention now because
most such cases are settled on the spot. Apart
from the usual petty crimes, the real increase,
according to o-ur investigation department, is in
the number of forgery cases and those involving
the resale of articles bought on the installment
plan.
Q. Is it true that female forgers escape detention?
A. For the moment. We have no special cells in
the city jail for women. The jail houses people
sentenced for a year or less. Police headquarters,
which will be moved in 1970—71 to Hverfisgata
at Snorrabraut will include additional jail space
in the form of twenty single cells and two com-
munity cells for men, and five single cells for
woman. Our prison, Litla Hraun, accommodates
26 people, but is too small. Until the planned
prison is built, forgers and such non-violent law-
breakers are on the streets, awaiting vacancies.
Ten men have been sentenced for murder in my
years in the force, of which three are still serving
their terms.
Q. Of what sort are juvenile offences?
A. Mostly stealing books, or stealing money from
the pockets of workers. People who hang their
coats in coatroomis should not leave money in the
pockets.
Q. Are there more serious crimes ?
A. There is little burglary, and no armed robbery.
Anyone who threatened a person with a gun would
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65 DEGREES