The principal did not report violence against a student - is convicted of misconduct

It was during the fall semester last year that a boy in middle school allegedly subjected a girl to violence and abuse on two occasions.

The school took several measures after the incident, including moving the boy to another school.

However, since July 1, 2025, principals are obliged by the School Act to report suspected crimes in the school environment to the police, which was never done. The principal explains that he had not realized that the new legislation had come into force and he denies responsibility for crime.

The prosecutor chose to prosecute him for misconduct, which is the first time that it has been decided to test whether omission can constitute a punishable misconduct.

Sentenced to pay daily fines

The Umeå district court judges that the principal, due to negligence, neglected his duty when he did not file a police report and he must therefore be sentenced. He must pay daily fines totaling SEK 18,900.

Since the student who is suspected of having subjected another to violence was not of legal age, there was no legal process surrounding those events.

SVT has been in contact with the rector, who does not want to comment on the verdict.

The rector's lawyer Petter Hetta also does not want to comment on the verdict until he has gone through it.