Sigríður Björk Guðjónsdóttir has stepped down as National Police Commissioner after nearly 25 years of dedicated service. The role, far from ordinary, encompasses the vital responsibilities of national defense, safeguarding the country’s high-ranking officials, and overseeing both an armed special force and an analytical division that, while not a formal secret service, collaborates closely with international security organizations.
In her farewell remarks, Sigríður cited multiple factors for her decision, emphasizing that the well-being of the police force should take precedence over personal interests. Following a particularly tumultuous period of discussions in the prior weeks, she believed her continued leadership might not serve the best interests of the police, particularly with significant funding discussions on the horizon.
The pressures surrounding Sigríður were palpable, especially in light of critical media coverage regarding the police’s dealings with the consulting firm Intru Advising. Justice Minister Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir had summoned her for formal meetings on three occasions, with the first taking place on October 29. Here, the Minister expressed concerns that Sigríður’s position was increasingly precarious. Just two days after their last meeting, the Prime Minister’s Office became involved, further complicating the situation.
Upon Sigríður’s departure, the Mirror sought clarity from the Prime Minister’s Office regarding its engagement in the matter. Subsequent information revealed an email from Haukur Guðmundsson, a minister in the Ministry of Justice, to Benedikt Árnason, a minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, dated November 5. This email included a memo detailing the operational status of the National Police Commissioner’s Office.
Haukur’s email pointedly noted that discussions deviating from the urgent issue of the office’s operational deficit—approximately 800 million ISK as of October—were misguided. He stressed the necessity for both the Ministry and the office to maintain focus on overarching issues rather than becoming entangled in specifics that could cloud the bigger picture.
Interestingly, on the same day, Sigríður attended a meeting at Benedikt’s home in Breiðholt, notable for its unusual setting and timing—scheduled after regular working hours, with no other attendees present. Both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice were made aware of this private meeting.
Almost four days later, Sigríður resigned during another meeting with the Minister of Justice but proposed a new role as an expert within the Ministry, an offer that was accepted. In response to the Mirror’s inquiry, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that no formal memos had been created regarding this transition, assuring that Sigríður’s salary would remain unchanged.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir clarified in a written statement that the purpose of the meeting between Benedikt and Sigríður was to review the situation concerning the then National Police Commissioner. She asserted that Benedikt did not carry any messages to the meeting and that she received a briefing the very next day. Furthermore, Kristrún confirmed she had not communicated with the Minister of Justice concerning this particular meeting.
