Swedish police chief quits in nude pics storm
LULEÅ. A senior Swedish police officer has resigned after he posted "nude pictures" of himself on a dating site last week.
The pictures of Karl Bertil Arosenius - until Friday the chief of police in Norrbotten - came to the attention of the local media, prompting a storm of criticism from politicians and the National Police Commissioner.
"In recent days I have been exposed to serious criticism in the media, which has made me a burden to the police," wrote Arosenius in his resignation letter.
Speaking to Expressen, Arosenius pointed out that he was not in fact naked in the pictures, but wearing a pair of skimpy blue swimming trunks.
That did not appease critics, who argued that it was not entirely appropriate for a chief police officer to be posting such pictures online. Another showed "how a woman is perceived before and after six beers".
"I was sitting at home playing around with the computer, as a private person," he said last week.
But on Friday the pressure became too much and Arosenius called it a day.
"I feel that it's reached the limit. I consider that the price has been paid not just by me but unfortunately also by the police and - which for me is the worst of all - by my dear children," he said.
Social democrat politician Kristina Zakrisson told the Norrländska Socialdemokraten newspaper that it was the right thing to do.
"Arosenius has made a sensible decision which I fully respect," she said.
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The pictures of Karl Bertil Arosenius - until Friday the chief of police in Norrbotten - came to the attention of the local media, prompting a storm of criticism from politicians and the National Police Commissioner.
"In recent days I have been exposed to serious criticism in the media, which has made me a burden to the police," wrote Arosenius in his resignation letter.
Speaking to Expressen, Arosenius pointed out that he was not in fact naked in the pictures, but wearing a pair of skimpy blue swimming trunks.
That did not appease critics, who argued that it was not entirely appropriate for a chief police officer to be posting such pictures online. Another showed "how a woman is perceived before and after six beers".
"I was sitting at home playing around with the computer, as a private person," he said last week.
But on Friday the pressure became too much and Arosenius called it a day.
"I feel that it's reached the limit. I consider that the price has been paid not just by me but unfortunately also by the police and - which for me is the worst of all - by my dear children," he said.
Social democrat politician Kristina Zakrisson told the Norrländska Socialdemokraten newspaper that it was the right thing to do.
"Arosenius has made a sensible decision which I fully respect," she said.
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