Denmark's police districts and the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) should adopt a number of new procedures to avoid a repeat of the February terror attack that left two men dead and several officers injured, the Danish National Police (Rigspolitiet) has recommended to the Justice Ministry.
Among the recommendations is a new weapons training programme for officers that will be implemented by autumn 2016.
A review in the aftermath of the shootings revealed that two police officers who were injured by gunman Omar El-Hussein in front of Copenhagen’s Grand Synagogue had not completed their obligatory yearly shooting training.
Rigspolitiet now recommends that Danish officers should be trained in a “revised national concept” that will incorporate mental preparedness into weapons training.
The report also recommends an upgrade of ammunition for officers’ regular service pistols and automatic weapons. The upgrade will ensure “a fast and effective neutralization of an attacking gunman wearing protective gear”, the report states.
Additionally the report calls for Copenhagen Police and East Jutland Police to be in charge of operations in any future terror events and better coordination between those two districts, the National Police and PET.
In the February 14–15 attack, El-Hussein opened fire at a Østerbro cafe hosting a free speech event attended by Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks. One man was killed at the cafe. Hours later, El-Hussein carried out an attack at the synagogue, killing a volunteer security guard.
El-Hussein, a 22-year-old Dane of Palestinian heritage, was then himself shot and killed by police.
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