and worse
image source: Johan Nilsson, TT / www.arbetaren.se
Nepotism comes from the Latin word for nephew, “nepos.” Already in the 1650s, the word nepotism was used to describe granting favors to favorites – in particular, granting high offices to family members. It was first used to refer to the papal habit of appointing “nephews” (or illegitimate sons) to high positions in the church.
Nepotism has other family members. Cronyism, discrimination, bias, and plain old favoritism are other names for giving unwarranted preferential treatment. A beloved child has many names, as the Swedish saying goes. Nepotism’s offshoots only show how common it is perceived to be.
Calling all units
Nepotism and suspicions of nepotism are crippling for any organization. They are even worse when they concern the highest positions in an organization. Especially an organization founded on a mission to uphold the rule of law.
The death of Stockholm’s Chief of Police Mats Löfving was the tragic end to a case of perceived nepotism. Löfving was relieved from his post pending the results of an investigation into his promoting his subordinate colleague and girlfriend to a high position in the police. He was also suspected of influencing the salary she was paid, of giving her the right to bear a service weapon, and lying about his relationship in the first place. The day after the investigation’s results were made public, absolving him from some transgressions but raising the possibility of others, Löfving was found dead in his Norrköping apartment.
Just helping out a friend
While cases of outright nepotism or discrimination are rare, cases of “friendly favoritism” or vänskapskorruption are considered common in Sweden. A study from Transparency International in 2021 found that nearly a third of respondents believed that the level of corruption has increased over the last five years. Twenty percent of Swedish respondents added that they themselves have availed themselves of personal contacts to skip a queue or otherwise get access to a service. No one can deny that personal contacts are key to finding, and getting, a job.
Friendly favoritism or outright nepotism in law enforcement, however, is particularly grievous. Not only is public trust undermined, but the morale and motivation of an already understaffed and pressed police force crumbles. As late as May, 2022, a questionnaire conducted by the Police Union found that four of ten police were actively looking for another job. This, in the midst of almost daily shootings and bombings, is a catastrophe.
A glimmer
Tragically and ironically, it was Löfving who in 2020 first broke the silence and went public on just how widespread clans’ criminal activities actually were in the Stockholm area. It caused a furor, but it also opened a lot of eyes. His death might do the same.
