the police authority 24 During the inspections of the police custody facilities in Arvika and Växjö, it emerged that individuals deprived of their liberty must change into clothing provided by the Police Authority upon registration. In the report following the inspections, the Parliamentary Ombudsman reiterated previous statements made on this issue as well.24 Persons detained due to intoxication A police officer is authorised to detain and take into protective care an individual who is so intoxicated by alcohol or other intoxicants that they cannot take care of themselves, or otherwise poses a danger to themselves or others. The detainee is to be released as soon as is possible without the risk of harm to themselves and there are no longer grounds for detention. However, the detainee must always be released no later than eight hours after detention, unless it is clearly in their own interest that they may remain for a short period beyond that.25 Decisions to detain persons due to intoxication must be reviewed continuously and last for as short a time as possible During the inspection of the police custody facility in Borlänge, it emerged that some police custody facility staff were of the opinion that an individual who had been detained due to intoxication should be held deprived of their liberty for at least six hours, and that the custody officer does not normally need to be contacted before then. Similar information emerged during the inspections of the police custody facilities in Arvika, Karlskoga, and Kristinehamn. Following the inspections, the Parliamentary Ombudsman stated that detention for reasons of care should last for as short a time as possible and that there should be a continuous review of whether the conditions for continued detention are met.26 During the inspection of the police custody facility in Borlänge, it emerged that sobering up places had recently been established at Falu Hospital. Furthermore, Dalarna Region is able to admit intoxicated individuals to the accident and emergency units at the hospitals in Ludvika and Mora. The police responsible in the Dalarna Police District have produced a checklist to be used for detentions made in accordance with the Care of Intoxicated Persons Act. The checklist is used to assess whether an intoxicated individual should be taken to a healthcare facility for treatment or into police custody. Following the inspection, the Parliamentary Ombudsman stated that it is positive that the Police Authority works systematically with this issue.27 Supervisors’ remote reviews A police officer who has detained an individual into custody in accordance with the Police Act or the Care of Intoxicated Persons Act must report this ac24 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 5 and 12, ref. no. O 47-2019 and report p. 4 and 9, ref. no. O 21-2019. 25 See Section 1, first paragraph and Section 7, third paragraph of the Care of Intoxicated Persons Act. 26 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 6 and 11, ref. no. O 13-2019 and report p. 6 and 11, ref. no. O 47-2019, report p. 5 and 6, ref. no. O 48-2019 and report p. 5, ref. no. O 49-2019. 27 See the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s report p. 5 and 17, ref. no. O 13-2019.

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