Hans Holmér

Hans Gillis Åke Holmér (28 December 1930 – 4 October 2002) was a Swedish civil servant and author. Holmér served as Chief of the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO) and later Chief Commissioner (länspolismästare) of Stockholm County. He became well known during his tenure, spanning barely a year, as Chief of the special investigation unit into the assassination of the Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme (1986–1987). Holmér was commonly associated with the Swedish Social Democratic Party and was known to have good connections within its top ranks.

Early life

Holmér was born on 28 December 1930 in Stockholm, Sweden, the son of Gösta Holmér, a national sports instructor, and his wife Aslög (née Roos). He was younger brother of Gustaf Holmér (1921–2004), professor of Romance languages, especially French. Hans Holmér studied at Norra Latin and passed studentexamen in 1950. The same year he did military service at the Army Ranger School in Kiruna, where he also underwent cadet training and later became a captain.

Career

Holmér attended a police management course between 1955 and 1956, and served as deputy district police superintendent (landsfiskal) etc in Stockholm County from 1956 to 1962. He received a Candidate of Law degree in Stockholm in 1962, and did his clerkship from 1963 to 1964. Holmér then served as public prosecutor (kammaråklagare) in Stockholm in 1965. He worked as director (byråchef) at the Swedish National Police Board from 1966 to 1970 when he was appointed head of the Department of Security in the National Police Board (from 1989 known as the Swedish Security Service). He became District Police Commissioner of Stockholm in 1976 and Chief Commissioner of Stockholm County in 1984.