Expert explains why people in power sometimes cross boundaries

Murder in Priekule raises questions about power and profession

The tragic murder of a teacher in Priekule has sparked widespread public resonance due to the fact that the suspected perpetrator is a person in a profession responsible for public safety and entrusted with state authority. This case has once again brought up the question of why people in power sometimes cross boundaries.

Explanation from a psychology expert

Rūta Treija, a lecturer in forensic psychology and criminology, who has already commented on the incident on social media, emphasized in an interview with "Delfi" that her remarks are not an assessment of the specific case but a general explanation. She points out that the causes are usually not found solely in the position or in a single person.

Treija explains that everyone working in any profession, including police officers, teachers, and doctors, is part of society. "They are the same people as you and me, just going to work. For some it is a calling, for others it is just a job that allows them to earn a living," she says.

The problem is not only in the individual

Criminologists and social psychologists stress that there is no single answer to why police officers may cross boundaries. Police behavior is influenced by personality, work environment, organizational culture, and societal values. Treija notes that the police are not separate from society – "the police are society, society is the police."

She emphasizes that similar questions arise about teachers or doctors who commit crimes. It is important to understand how such people enter these professions and what mechanisms allow them to remain in the system.