Undoubtedly one of the most gentle souls in the Mission, this edition’s interview is with our colleague Michael, our Environmental Crime Expert. Despite his wealth of experience and expertise, his humility is exemplary. Whenever one meets Michael, he always has a kind word at the ready, and his qualities make him a most loved member of EUPOL COPPS.

 

1. Tell us a little about yourself (nationality, professional background and experience and expertise)

I hail from Malmö in Sweden and am a trained telecommunications technician and worked as such for 10 years. I joined the Swedish Police Force in 1988 and spent the first 10 years of duty in patrol service, riot police and as a computer instructor. In 1999 I started as a Crime Scene Investigator to deal with major crimes. During my time as a Crime Scene Investigator I was in Thailand on two different occasions working with DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) to identify victims after the Tsunami. The first time as a release officer responsible for the release of identified bodies and the second time as Site Command responsible for the identification work at the site. I am also an expert in performing blood pattern analysis. After 20 year as a Crime Scene Investigator/Coordinator/blood pattern expert I started as an Environmental Crime Investigator in 2019. In special criminal law, there are many different crimes to work with. I mainly investigate environmental crimes and work environment crimes.

 

2. Explain your portfolio here at EUPOL COPPS

I am seconded by Sweden as an Environmental Crime Expert within the Police Advisory Section.

This is basically to support the PCP Environmental Crime Unit facing the challenges of the daily work (e.g. lack of equipment, defines roles and responsibilities of the Unit and coordination with Environmental Quality Authority (EQA) and Prosecutors office) but also on a more holistic level (raising awareness about environmental crime to the population)

 

3. What do you enjoy most about forming part of EUPOL COPPS, and about working in the Region?

Working with other internationals and locals in the mission as well as with counterparts. To be able to work in Palestine and living in Jerusalem gives fantastic opportunities to get to know historical and most relevant places of the world.

 

4. What are the challenges you face, and how, in your view, may they be overcome?

Since 2019, EUPOL COPPS supports and advises the PCP Environmental Crimes Unit in developing a suitable organisational structure and relevant policies, procedures and practices to assist the unit in becoming fully functional and capable of investigating environmental crimes. Supporting the PCP in the development of a prioritised comprehensive framework for Environmental Crime Unit, as well as coordination with the Environmental Quality Authority (EQA) and the Prosecutors office is a main activity along with trying to close some of the illegal dumpsites currently found in the West Bank.