Two civilian store controllers were sentenced to conditional sentences and community service for assaulting a man who stole hair wax at an Ica Maxi store in Partille, Sweden.
The assault occurred in April 2025 when the controllers apprehended the man after he took hair wax and made death threats in the store, according to surveillance footage broadcast by SVT.
During the incident, one controller stood on a table and jumped onto the man, who was lying in handcuffs on the floor, although the other controller stood on the man’s legs and feet for an extended period.
The man was taken to a room near the checkout counters during the assault.
Lars Sjöberg, senior advisor at the Security Industry’s Occupational and Environmental Council (BYA), stated that store controllers and security guards have no greater legal authority than any other member of the public.
The Partille District Court convicted the two controllers and a security guard of assault in April 2026, noting that they likely lost their jobs as a result of the conviction.
All three individuals have appealed the verdict.
What legal authority do store controllers have in Sweden?
Store controllers in Sweden have no special legal powers beyond those of any civilian and cannot use force beyond what is reasonable for self-defense or preventing a crime, according to Lars Sjöberg of BYA.
Why did the court consider job loss in sentencing?
The court took into account that the convicted individuals likely lost their employment due to the assault conviction when determining their sentence.