The Director of the Police has announced that armed officers will be present at festivities in downtown Reykjavík on Iceland's independence day June 17. Armed officers participated in security at major events in downtown Reykjavík during past weekend. The decision to deploy armed officers to popular events in downtown Reykjavík has surprised many Icelanders and has been met with significant criticism.
Read more: Armed police patrolled the weekend's events in downtown Reykjavík, sparking criticism
The decision to deploy armed officers on Iceland's Independence Day was taken in light of increased terrorist threat following the attacks in Europe in past weeks. Armed officers will be able to respond faster to any potential threat, the Director of the Police told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
A controversial decision
Several politicians have criticized the decision to increase the presence of armed police officers in downtown Reykjavík. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the chairwoman of the Left Green Movement and the leader of the political opposition in Parliament, said in an interview with the local radio station K100 that Icelandic authorities should aim at minimizing the carrying of firearms by police. She added that any changes in policy should be announced beforehand, and that such decisions would be transparent. One of the primary criticism of the decision to deploy armed officers last weekend was that the public had not been notified beforehand.
Líf Magneudóttir, who is a Reykjavík City Councilor for the Left Green Movement, and the President of the city council, has similarly criticized the decision to deploy armed officers on June 17. Líf wrote on Facebook that it was unacceptable that council members only learned of the decision in the media. Líf added that armed officers did not add to the feeling of security by the Icelandic public, quite the opposite.
Read more: Iceland is the safest country in the world for travellers and inhabitants alike
While the Icelandic Police is unarmed the police special forces do have firearms. The special forces have up until now only been visible during state visits by foreign heads of state or at crime scenes where police fears criminals might be armed. Icelanders are therefore extremely unaccustomed to seeing armed police officers. Iceland is the safest and most peaceful country in the world.
The Director of the Police has announced that armed officers will be present at festivities in downtown Reykjavík on Iceland's independence day June 17. Armed officers participated in security at major events in downtown Reykjavík during past weekend. The decision to deploy armed officers to popular events in downtown Reykjavík has surprised many Icelanders and has been met with significant criticism.
Read more: Armed police patrolled the weekend's events in downtown Reykjavík, sparking criticism
The decision to deploy armed officers on Iceland's Independence Day was taken in light of increased terrorist threat following the attacks in Europe in past weeks. Armed officers will be able to respond faster to any potential threat, the Director of the Police told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
A controversial decision
Several politicians have criticized the decision to increase the presence of armed police officers in downtown Reykjavík. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the chairwoman of the Left Green Movement and the leader of the political opposition in Parliament, said in an interview with the local radio station K100 that Icelandic authorities should aim at minimizing the carrying of firearms by police. She added that any changes in policy should be announced beforehand, and that such decisions would be transparent. One of the primary criticism of the decision to deploy armed officers last weekend was that the public had not been notified beforehand.
Líf Magneudóttir, who is a Reykjavík City Councilor for the Left Green Movement, and the President of the city council, has similarly criticized the decision to deploy armed officers on June 17. Líf wrote on Facebook that it was unacceptable that council members only learned of the decision in the media. Líf added that armed officers did not add to the feeling of security by the Icelandic public, quite the opposite.
Read more: Iceland is the safest country in the world for travellers and inhabitants alike
While the Icelandic Police is unarmed the police special forces do have firearms. The special forces have up until now only been visible during state visits by foreign heads of state or at crime scenes where police fears criminals might be armed. Icelanders are therefore extremely unaccustomed to seeing armed police officers. Iceland is the safest and most peaceful country in the world.
