POLIce
IN DEnmark, THE FAROE ISLANDS AND GrEEnland
CONTENTS
3
6
welcome 18 the prosecutiON SERVICE
35CRIME iN DEnmark
18 The three courts
Police in Denmark 36 Police TRAINING
6
Police organisation 20 THE OBJECTIVES AND TASKS
36 Admission
6
Finances
OF THE POLICE
36
Recruitment
36
Training
36
Career opportunities
International COOPERATION AND
8
The NATIONAL POLICE
12 POLICE DISTRICTS
38
12
Emergency services
28
PoliCE EQUIPMENT
police peacekeeping missions
12
Investigation
28
Uniforms
38 Interpol
12
Local police
28
Vehicles
38 Europol
12
Coorporation
28
Means of force
38 The Schengen Agreement
28
Dogs and bicycles 38 Police peacekeeping missions
30
It AND CommuniCation
14 GrEEnland AND
THE FAROE ISLANDS
vision
We give the public peace of mind.
Together with communities around
Denmark, the police and prosecution
service work to make Denmark a safe
and secure place to live.
24 PoliCE STRATEGY
24
Police ethics
welcome
Denmark’s police service is a large public authority with nearly
15,000 employees. Daily, it strives to prevent and fight crime
and ensure that Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland are
safe and secure places to live.
The work of the police affects all parts of society and has an
impact on many people’s lives. That is probably the reason
we are often contacted by schools, citizens, media and others
looking for an insight into our work.
This publication is for anyone seeking to learn more about
the police in Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
It provides a general overview of our duties, our role in society,
our organisation and the financial and legal framework within
which we operate.
If you need further information, please do not hesitate to
contact us. You will find our contact details on the back of
the publication.
We welcome this and we strive to be as open as possible, even
though our obligations to ensure confidentiality and specific
concerns during investigations and regarding national security,
naturally limit the amount of information that we can share with
the public.
Jens Henrik Højbjerg
National Commissioner
mission
The aim of the police is to help bring safety,
security, peace and order to society by striving to prevent crime, helping the citizens and
enforcing the law. Together with the police,
the prosecution service works to ensure that
criminals are brought to justice, and that no
innocent people are prosecuted.
police in denmark
3
danish police
we build public confiden
One of the main purposes of the
police is to ensure that citizens
can feel safe and secure as they
go about their daily lives.
onfidence
POLICE IN DENMARK
15,000 EMPLOYEES
ENSURE LAW AND ORDER
It is the responsibility of Danish Police to ensure law and order
in Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. However, most
of the personnel are located in Denmark. In total, there are approximately 15,000 employees in the police service. More than
10,700 of these have completed police training, while the rest
are civil employees – including legal officers, administrative
personnel, various academic groups, maintenance staff, communication professionals and a wide range of other professions.
PoliCE organisation
Danish Police is subject to the Ministry of Justice. The Minister of Justice is therefore the head of the police service. The
Government and the Danish parliament, Folketinget, define the
overall framework – including the financing – for the police.
”
I REALLY ENJOY WORKING IN THE POLICE.
ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE IS that
when i COMe HOME FROM WORK, i FEEL
THAT I’VE HELPED OTHERS AND MADE A
DIFFERENCE.
Kamilla Vang, Police Constable
Western Copenhagen Police
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The Public Prosecution is, like the police, subject to the Ministry
of Justice.
FINANCES
The annual budget for the police is approximately 8,5 billion
Danish kroner, and the financial framework is typically set for
four year periods. The Danish National Police and the police
districts (see pages 8 and 12) both have their own budgets, but
these have to be managed within an overall framework outlined
by the Danish National Police.
Ministry of Justice
Director of
Public Prosecution
National Commissioner
Prosecutor
Serious Economic Crime
Regional Public
Prosecutor (2)
12 police districts
Police in the Faroe Islands and Greenland
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7
THE NATIONAL POLICE
Police authority
SETting THE DIRECTION FOR THE whole corps
The Danish National Police is the head of Danish Police. This
means, among other things, that the National Police sets the
direction and defines overall strategies for the entire police service. However, this always happens in close collaboration with
the local police authorities, which are responsible for implementing the strategies.
Additionally, the National Police offers the local police authorities with advice and support. For example, the National Police
provides expertise in complex investigations concerning organised crime, cross-border crime or IT crime. The National Police
also coordinates police work on a national level and in relation
to international collaborations.
The National Police is led by the National Commissioner
of Police and is divided into four main areas: Policing, Group
Finances, Group IT and Group HR.
There are approximately 1,600 employees in the Danish
National Police (excluding the Danish Security and Intelligence
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Service, PET), covering a number of functions such as
management support, defining strategies, overall financial
management, IT, legal advice, press and communication,
purchase of police equipment and vehicles, personnel and
training, international collaborations and large-scale investigations, crime technology and duties concerning the response to
and deportation of asylum seekers and other foreign nationals.
PET is a department within the Danish National Police with a
staff of approximately 800. However, due to the special duties
of the intelligence service, the head of PET refers to the Minister of Justice in regards to operational assignments, and not to
the National Commissioner of Police.
The National Commissioner meets regularly with the Director
of Public Prosecution and the 12 police commissioners, who
are the CEOs of the 12 police districts in the country. In this
forum, called Group Management, general and strategically
important issues regarding the work and duties of the police
are discussed.
National Commissioner
Corporate Management Board
Danish Security
Intelligence Service (PET)
Audit Department
Executive
Management
Secretariat
Communication
Police
Corporate ICT
”
Corporate Finance
Corporate HR
POLICE work IS CHALLENGING AND EXCITING
with room FOR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
GROWTH. THE WORK of A POLICE OFFICER IS
MEANINGFUL, AND I HAVE A LOT OF INFLUENCE
ON MY DAILY WORK.
Lasse Michael Bøhm, Police Sergeant
South Jutland Police
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WE MAINTAIN
PEACE AND ORDER
When a citizen calls the police to report a burglary, an accident
or an assault, it is the local police authority that initially deals
with the contact. The local police authority is also in charge of
daily patrols, road traffic duties and much more.
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11
POLICE DISTRICTS
12 poliCE DISTRICTS
SERVE THE PEOPLE LOCALLY
Commissioner
Assistant Commissioner
Senior Chief Prosecutor
Danish Police is divided into 12 police districts – or 14, if the
Faroe Islands and Greenland are included. Each police district
in Denmark serves around 500,000 citizens and has 8-900
employees, with the exception of Copenhagen and Bornholm
which have about 2,600 and 75 employees respectively. Each
district has a main police station and a number of local police
stations. In less densely populated areas, there are village
police constables in smaller towns.
The structure of the 12 police districts is practically identical:
The top-ranking officer is a Commissioner. Next in rank are a
Deputy Commissioner, a Senior Chief Prosecutor and an Assistant Commissioner. Below the Assistant Commissioner, three
line managers, known as Chief Superintendents, are in charge
of tactical support, local police and specialised investigation.
The three areas have units at several police stations within the
district.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
When a citizen contacts the local police to report a burglary,
an accident or an assault, the local police initially deal with the
incident. In other words, the local police service is in charge of
the dispatch room, emergencies and preliminary investigations.
The local service is also in charge of patrolling in area, road traffic duties, police dog assignments and specific events where
the police provide support, such as at football matches.
INVESTIGATION
If a case is extensive, very complicated and time-consuming, it
is handed over to the criminal investigation unit. This happens
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Deputy Commissioner
in cases involving serious assault, homicide or organised crime
such as human trafficking, gang-related crime, financial crime,
major drug cases, and IT-related crimes such as hacking, credit
card fraud or the possession and distribution of child pornography.
Local police
The local police are based at police stations at various locations in the police district. Police officers located at the local
stations have the same duties as at the main station, and
citizens can contact the station during opening hours to report
criminal offences, retrieve lost property or find answers to their
questions about laws and regulations. It is of crucial importance
that the local police have a good knowledge of local affairs and
are aware of activities in the various towns and villages. To
this end, the police all over the country have established good
working relationships with town councils and other local authorities, schools, clubs and associations in order to implement
activities designed to aid crime prevention.
COOPERATION
When an event requires a larger police effort, the local police
authorities provide assistance for each other across district
borders. This was the case, for example, during the climate
summit COP15, which was held in Copenhagen in 2009.
Here, several thousand police officers from all police districts
were transferred to Copenhagen Police, which had the overall
responsibility for the police effort. At times, the same kind of
assistance is necessary at major football matches, festivals or
demonstrations.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
1
Northern Jutland Police
East Jutland Police
Central and West Jutland Police
South-East Jutland Police
South Jutland Police
Funen Police
South Zealand and Lolland-Falster Police
Central and West Zealand Police
North Zealand Police
Western Copenhagen Police
Copenhagen Police
Bornholm Police
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2
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10
11
4
8
6
5
7
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GREENLAND AND THE FAROE ISLANDS
POLICE IN GREENLAND AND
THE FAROE ISLANDS
– a PART OF DANISH POLICE
The police in Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of
Danish Police and constitute independent police districts.
The reason for this is that Greenland and the Faroe Islands are
both part of the Danish Realm, each with two representatives
in the Danish Parliament, Folketinget. Both territories have ex-
tensive home rule. For instance, they have their own flags and
driving licenses. The legislation in both places differs in some
areas from Danish legislation, but Danish laws can become effective after negotiation with the home rule government of the
territories. Neither the Faroe Islands nor Greenland is members
of the EU.
GrEEnland
(Kalaallit Nunaat)
LOCATION
The largest island in the
world, situated in the Arctic
Ocean and the North Atlantic.
Area
Approximately 2,166,000
square kilometres, of which
the majority is covered by the
polar ice cap.
POPULATION
About 56,000, including
16,000 in the capital of Nuuk
(Godthåb).
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GrEEnland PoliCE
The police service is led by
a Chief of Police and has approximately 300 employees.
Around 140 of these are
police officers, mostly from
Greenland, while a few are
temporarily posted from
Denmark.
NUUK
(godthåb)
THE FAROE ISLANDS
(Føroyar)
LOCATION
A group of 18 islands in the
Atlantic Ocean.
area
Approximately 1,400 square
kilometers in total.
POPULATION
About 47,000 – around
20,000 of these live in the
capital of Tórshavn.
FAROE ISLANDS POLICE
The general management is
the responsibility of the ‘landfoged’ (Chief of Police), while
the head of the police service
is a Chief Superintendent.
The police district has approximately 170 employees
– including around 60 civil
servants.
Torshavn
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WE PREVENT
CRIME
Crime prevention is an important part of
police work, and the police work closely
together with for example schools and
youth clubs in their efforts to prevent
future crimes. The work is carried out in
close collaboration with local councils
and other authorities.
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THE PROSECUTION SERVICE
OFFENDERS MUST BE
BROUGHT TO JUSTICE
The purpose of the Prosecution Service in Denmark is to ensure
that offenders are held responsible in accordance with the law,
but also to ensure that innocent people are not prosecuted.
Like the police, the Prosecution Service is subordinate to the
Ministry of Justice, which oversees the public prosecutors.
The prosecution service comprises the Director of Public
Prosecutions, who is the head of the organisation, as well as
the public prosecutors and commissioners.
The Prosecution Service has a staff of 1,200 at 22 branches
throughout the country. The largest group of employees
consists of 600 prosecutors, who are lawyers with three years
of supplementary training within the Prosecution Service.
There are 130 police prosecutors with a police background,
and who mainly assist in traffic cases. Finally, the Prosecution
Service employs an administrative staff of approximately 350
and a smaller group of specialists from a number of other
occupational groups.
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THE THREE COURTS
The Danish judicial system is structured as a hierarchy of three
levels: The city courts, the high courts and the Supreme Court.
The three levels ensure that cases are handled thoroughly and
that the rulings of the court can be appealed to a higher instance
– for example, a case can be moved from the city court to the
high court.
If a verdict is appealed to the high court or the Supreme Court, it
can either be verified (upheld) or overturned.
In general, court cases in Denmark fall into two groups: Civil cases and criminal cases. Criminal cases are cases investigated by
the police, where a citizen is charged by the public prosecution
service and can be sentenced for violating the law. Civil cases
are cases where one party requires the assistance of the court to
make a claim against another party.
The number of criminal cases conducted by the Prosecution Service in Denmark varies, but in recent years the number has been
increasing. At present, about 150,000 cases are conducted every
year in the Danish courts.
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THE OBJECTIVES AND TASKS OF THE POLICE
THE POLICE provide
A modern service
The overall objective of the police is to maintain safety, security, peace and order in society. In short, one of the primary duties of the police is to safeguard law enforcement. But the police do not only exist to take action when a crime is committed.
The police also work to prevent crime, for example in schools
and youth clubs. This happens in close collaboration with local
councils and other authorities.
Even though the main task is to ensure that laws are kept, the
police also have many tasks that focus on service – for example
performing criminal record checks, educating school children,
assisting with traffic during major sports events etc. The police
are therefore also a modern service provider who strive to be
open and accommodating and have a dialogue with the population. This openness is crucial if the police are to gain the citizens’ trust, which is vital for the police to carry out their duties.
This of course requires a number of skills and efforts and the
police therefore perform a diverse and broad variety of duties
in all parts of society, both geographically and socially. Obviously, all these tasks require many different abilities and efforts. The work of the police is very wide-ranging and reaches
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many parts of society. Citizens encounter the police in many
different situations: On patrol in their local area, in motorcades,
at traffic controls and road accidents, or when a burglar has
rummaged through their drawers and cupboards. The police
are also called out with flashing blue lights and sirens to domestic disputes, riots, robberies and assaults.
The less visible part of the police comprises all the civil servants and police officers who do not necessarily wear a uniform
to work. There are, for example, the many investigators who
work at solving crimes by checking leads such as computer
files, footprints, fingerprints and DNA, or by interrogating criminals and questioning victims and witnesses. Police officers
in civilian dress also work as driving test examiners, as bodyguards for members of the royal family etc.
Civilian employees in the police have a number of duties in
administration, service, strategy and analysis, all necessary for
the police service to function. These civilian employees count
office workers, human resource officers, academic staff, car
mechanics and weapons technicians, IT personnel and journalists, among others.
”
The POLICE FORCE IS A GOOD PLACE TO WORK,
BECAUSE MY TASKS ARE varied AND CHALLENGE
ME BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY. i HAVE
A LOT OF CONTACT WITH COLLEAGUES, VARIOUS
DEPARTMENTS AND PARTNERS outside the force.
THIS MEANS THAT NO TWO DAYS ARE ALIKE.
Bent Emil Sørensen, Police Superintendent
South-East Jutland Police
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WE ARE ALWAYS
PREPARED
In order to ensure that police employees are
well-equipped for the challenges they encounter,
training and new skills have a high priority in the
police service. Police officers tackle many different
duties and participate in courses, education and
training – for example how to deal with violence.
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POLICE STRATEGY
THE POLICE ARE COMMITTED TO Treating
EVERYBODY FAIRLY AND PROFESSIONALLY
StrategY
Danish police and the prosecution service act in accordance
with an overall strategy that sets out guidelines for police work
until 2016. However, each year, the strategy is adjusted in accordance to changes in criminal and social trends.
The governing idea behind the strategy is the mission and vision of the police and prosecution service. Furthermore, the
strategy defines overall targets for the work of the two authorities and defines which areas should receive special attention in
order for these targets to be met.
The five main targets:
•
•
•
•
•
We firmly combat crime and prevent conflicts, unrest
and crime
We focus on our main tasks and increase quality and
efficiency in our assignments
We are service-minded, open and accessible
We are professional, collegial and innovative
We are an attractive workplace with skilled employees
and leaders
”
In the areas chosen for special attention a number of initiatives are outlined. For example, it is important that the police
continually develop new methods that match the changing face
of crime and the emergence of new types of crime. The police
service also wishes to be an attractive place to work. New skills
and improvement of management therefore have high priority. Another focus area is forming alliances with citizens, other
authorities and businesses to find solutions to issues of crime
and security.
PoliCE ETHICS
Finally, the interaction and the police and citizens is under
close scrutiny. This is vital, because police officers make decisions and perform acts that affect people’s lives every day. This
places great demands on the ethics and morals of the police.
Ethics is therefore a key area in the police strategy. It is essential that police officers are aware of and talk about the ethical
issues which are an integral part of their work.
The ambition is that the police treat everybody fairly and professionally and treat each individual citizen with dignity and
respect.
THE POLICE is PROBABLY THE (SECOND) BEST
WORKPLACE IN THE WORLD. NO WORKDAY
TURNS OUT AS PLANNED. Although we work
within A SET OF RULES, THERE IS ROOM to use
COMMON SENSE TO MAKE A difference.
J.P. Rudbeck, Chief Inspector
South Jutland Police
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MOVing
IN NEW DIRECTIONS
The face of crime is constantly changing.
This places great demands on the police
service’s ability to renew itself, to adapt
and implement new methods. This is why
innovation is one of our main focus areas.
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POLICE EQUIPMENT
we rely on
our equipment
In order to be able to perform their various duties, the police
have a range of equipment at their disposal – from uniforms
and special vehicles to cutting-edge communication devices.
Uniforms
Police uniforms and equipment are designed to allow police
officers handle a number of situations. They are therefore regularly changed and modified according to the work conditions
of the police. A complete police uniform consists of a patrol
jacket, trousers, shoes and boots, pale blue shirts, a tie with a
safety fastening, a cap, T-shirts and a special operations suit
with a helmet, shin and arm guards, a chest guard, gloves, a
gas mask and safety boots.
In addition to this, police officers always carry a heavy belt on
which they carry their service pistol, baton, handcuffs and pepper spray.
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vehicles
The police have a variety of vehicles at their disposal. The
most common are white patrol cars with the police logo. But
the dark blue station cars with the police logo and sometimes
cages in the back for police dogs are also seen in the streets.
The white police motorbikes and blue minibuses, which can
transport a large group of police officers, are also well-known
features of street life.
In addition to this, the police have specially designed vehicles
for transporting people placed under arrest, as well as riot control vehicles that are very robust and cannot be damaged by
stones or other objects being thrown at them. These vehicles
are also protected by a special fire-resistant material and have
video cameras mounted on their roofs, so that criminal offences
can be documented during large-scale operations – for example during riots.
MEANS OF FORCE
When police officers use force – e.g. by putting someone in
handcuffs or using the baton – the action has to be based on
the Act on Police Activities and only after thorough deliberation
by the individual police officer or leader in question.
dogs and bicycles
Police dogs are an important part of the daily work. They are
used as guard dogs and for tracking either people wanted by the
police, explosives or narcotics. In certain circumstances, the dogs
are also used to maintain peace and order.
The use of force is always documented, so that statistics can
be kept to show which means of force are used, what for and
how often. This is done to prevent abuse and to make sure that
the means of force and the use of them match the conditions in
which the police operate.
In 2009, a new police bicycle unit was implemented. Bicycles are
handy, because they let police officers easily follow a suspect in
pedestrian streets and open areas and down narrow streets and
passages.
The police in Denmark are allowed to use handcuffs, batons,
pepper spray, tear gas, dogs and service pistols.
”
my job in the police is very varied
– it ranges from office work to
patrolling, where things can get
heated. it is important that one’s
FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE on board
and understand the job.
Martin Glentvor, Police Sergeant
Western Copenhagen Police
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IT and cOMMUNIcATION
our OBJECTIVE is
to be as open as possible
Many of the duties performed by the police today would be
impossible without the use of computers, police radios and
telephones. First of all, police officers on the streets and in patrol cars must of course be able to contact each other and their
colleagues at the police station at all times. This is done via a
radio system that covers all emergency services in Denmark –
including the fire department, the ambulance service and the
police – and enables them to communicate with each other at
the scene of large-scale events and accidents
The police also have an internal, closed computer network
used in their daily work, for example for data storage and
searches, digital photo registers and internal communication,
and for writing reports after police action.
As well as the internal network, the police have a website
– www.politi.dk – the main purpose of which is to provide
services to citizens. Here, users can find application forms for
various permits – such as a firearms certificate, a liquor license
or a permission to fly a flag. People can also report the theft of
bicycles, cars and other items, confirm a speeding ticket or read
”
about laws and regulations within a number of different areas.
They can also tip the police if they have information regarding
IT crime, sex tourism or human trafficking, or if they have information on missing persons or gang-related crime. In addition to
this, various statistics can be found on the website – for example about changes in crime rates in Denmark.
The work of the police is generally of great interest to the public, and therefore also to the media. Every day, the police get
enquiries from journalists with questions about everything from
specific investigations and changes in crime to laws and policies. These enquiries are handled by the police press officers
and communication advisors.
The objective of the police is to be as open as possible, as
this is necessary to give the public an understanding and a
balanced opinion of police work. On the other hand, there is of
course some information which the police cannot share with
the media and the public, as it might hinder an investigation or
bring attention to the citizens involved.
AS A POLICE OFFICER, I’M PART OF A
large community with the same
OBJECTIVES and interests. this gives
me a feeling of unity and great
strength.
Lasse Michael Bøhm, Police Sergeant
South Jutland Police
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31
we provide
a service
Servicing the citizens is an extremely important
part of police work. When a citizen calls the
police, skilled service assistants make sure that
the call is put through to the correct department,
or that the caller immediately receives a
satisfying answer to their enquiry.
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33
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police in denmark
crime In DeNMARK
crime is changing,
and so is the police
The crime rate in Denmark has been more or less stable for a
10-years period. Every year, however, more than 400,000 criminal offences are reported to the police. These range from burglary, assault and vandalism to IT crime and drug trafficking. In
addition, approximately 275,000 people each year are charged
with traffic offences.
Although many crimes are well known to the police, new types
of crime are a constant challenge to the police. For instance,
10-15 years ago, computer crime was not something the police
paid much attention to, but today considerable resources are
spent on combating hacking, credit card fraud, buying and selling of stolen goods on the Internet etc. In the same way, biker
and gang-related crime is also changing, and the on-going terrorist threat to Denmark is another new challenge. This has led
”
to several legislative changes and significantly increased the
national security activities. Globalisation, including open borders, improved transport and communication facilities, etc., has
brought about prosperity and development, but has also paved
the way for international crime across national borders. These
challenges require a high degree of professionalism within the
police, as well as the ability to quickly adapt to new methods.
To meet this need, job rotation and skills development have
a high priority in the Danish Police. Police officers get to try a
variety of jobs and participate in courses and graduate training
in order to improve and stay one step ahead of the criminals. It
is a never-ending race, because the criminals constantly learn
new skills and become more organised.
I’VE WORKED IN THE POLICE FOR 10 YEARS
AND (STILL) LOOK FORWARD TO GOING TO
WORK EVERY MORNING. I ENJOY NOT KNOWING
WHAT THE DAY’S SHIFT WILL BRING, AS WELL
AS HAVING GOOD COLLEAGUES AND playing a
RESPONSIBle role in SOCIETY.
Helene B. Poulsen, Police Sergeant
South Jutland Police
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POLICE TRAINING
THE POLICE CORPS SHOULD
reflect SOCIETY AS A WHOLE
ADMISSION
All police officers in Denmark and on the Faroe Islands are
trained at the Police College in Brøndby, close to Copenhagen.
Greenland has its own police college, where the courses in the
training program are identical to the courses in Denmark. If you
want to become a police officer in Denmark, the Faroe Islands
or Greenland, there are a number of basic requirements that
must be met. For example, you have to be over 21, have secondary education or equivalent, be a Danish citizen and have a
clean criminal record.
If you fulfill the requirements, you are eligible for an entrance
exam consisting of both physical and written tests. If you pass
the first exam, you have to attend a final interview, among other
things.
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ReCRUITMENT
It is the aim of the police that the corpse to the greatest extent
possible should reflect society as a whole. For this reason, the
police attempts to attract women and men of both Danish and
other ethnic backgrounds to the police profession. Today, about
12 percent – or around 1,400 – of trained police officers are
women. Only 1,1 percent of the police service – or about 120
people – have a non-Western background, but this number has
risen steadily in recent years.
TRAINING
The police training program is a professional bachelor degree
that takes three years to complete. It consists of five parts,
alternating between the National Police College and practical
training with a local police authority. When trainees are at the
college, they receive a student grant, whereas they receive a
salary during their practical training periods.
”
IT’S EXCITING TO MEET A Lot
of PEOPLE IN A CHANGing AND
CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT,
WHERE YOU CONSTANTLY
HAVE TO take action IN many
DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.
Kamilla Vang, Police Sergeant
Western Copenhagen Police
After admission to the Police College, a trainee is officially “employed as a police officer on probation”. This is because trainees, during the probation periods, are part of the police corps on
the same terms as trained police officers. They receive a salary,
patrol with a partner and have the right to use a service pistol
and other means of force if necessary. The probation period
lasts three years. For the fourth year of training, trainees join the
permanent staff and receive the title of Police Constables.
At the Police College, trainees acquire both practical and theoretical skills through ‘Problem Based Learning’. This method is
based on interdisciplinary lessons and strengthens the trainees’ ability to reflect and analyse their way to finding solutions.
Trainees are taught subjects such as road traffic, physical training, law, first aid, crime scene investigation, criminology, firearms, reflection, cultural sociology, human rights, psychology
and educational theory.
CarEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many opportunities for pursuing a career and individual interests in the police, as there is a wide variety of training and further education in practically all subjects relevant to
police officers. For example, you can become a crime scene
technician, dog handler, investigator, traffic officer or bodyguard. If you want to pursue a management career in the police, it is possible to take in-house management courses. The
police service uses an increasing number of civilian education
programs, and police managers and other employees attend
courses in, for example, IT, project management and HR.
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INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND POLICE PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS
PoliCing
ACROSS BORDERS
In their efforts to fight international cross-border crime, Danish
Police cooperate with police authorities and law enforcement
agencies all over the world, either through direct bilateral contacts or established organisations such as Europol and Interpol.
The international police work across borders is mainly focused
on public safety and terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, human trafficking, illegal immigration,
child pornography, financial crime and corruption.
Interpol
Interpol is the largest international police organisation in the
world. The organisation was established in 1923 with the purpose of strengthening international police collaboration in order
to prevent and combat international crime.
The Interpol General Secretariat is situated in Lyon, France, and
operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition to this,
there are seven regional offices around the world as well as
liaison offices at the UN and the EU. Furthermore, all of the 190
member states have national offices or departments, responsible for liaising and exchanging information with Interpol.
The organisation is financed through annual contributions from
the 190 member states.
Europol
Europol is the common police authority of the EU. The organisation was in its planning stages during the 1990s and fully
established in 1999. The purpose of Europol is to help EU
countries work more closely and efficiently together to prevent
and fight serious, organised international crime, ranging from
trafficking and counterfeiting to child pornography.
Europol’s headquarters is in the Haag in Holland. Here, representatives from member states – called liaison officers –
gather, store, process, analyse and exchange information and
intelligence on criminals and crime with the member countries.
Several of the European countries which are not members of
the EU – such as Norway and Switzerland – also have representatives in Europol. The National Centre of Investigation
(NEC) of the National Police establishes contact between Denmark and Europol via Danish liaison officers.
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the Schengen agreement
The Schengen Agreement comprises most EU countries as well
as Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. Denmark joined the Schengen Agreement in 2001. Among other things, the agreement
means that citizens from Schengen countries can travel freely
within the area without having to produce a passport. This gives
a large degree of freedom to law-abiding citizens, but also to all
criminals. As the Schengen Agreement is also aimed at fighting
cross-border crime, it necessitates increased control at the outer
borders of the Schengen area as well as a strong collaboration
between the police and custom services of the various countries.
POLICE PEACEKEEPING MISSIONs
Danish Police have a long history of active involvement in international peacekeeping. The first Danish police officers were
posted on a peacekeeping mission to Cyprus in the period 196474. In 1992, during the conflict in ex-Yugoslavia, Danish police
officers were again in demand abroad.
Since then, there has at all times been between 55 and 75 police officers posted to various missions throughout the world,
for example in the Palestinian Autonomous Territories, Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan. The tasks of the police on these missions,
which for are mainly under the mandate of the UN, the EU or the
OSCE, are to observe and to report any atrocities committed
against the civilian population, as well as to advise and train the
police in the country concerned in democratic legal principles
and human rights.
”
THE POLICE force is A VERSATILE
WORKPLACE, and it OFFERS ME
A VARIETY OF TASKS, IN MY OWN
COUNTRY AND ABROAD.
Lasse Michael Bøhm, Police Sergeant
South Jutland Police
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AdDresseS
Danish National Police
Polititorvet 14
1780 København V
Phone: +45 33 14 88 88
E-mail: [email protected]
Western Copenhagen Police
Birkelundsvej 2
2620 Albertslund
Phone: +45 43 86 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
North Jutland Police
Jyllandsgade 27
9000 Aalborg
Phone: +45 96 30 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
Copenhagen Police
Politigården
1567 København V
Phone: +45 33 14 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
East Jutland Police
Ridderstræde 1
8000 Århus C
Phone: +45 87 31 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
Bornholm Police
Zahrtmannsvej 44
3700 Rønne
Phone: +45 56 90 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
Central and West Jutland Police
Nørreport 1
7500 Holstebro
Phone: +45 96 14 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
Faroe Islands Police
Yviri við Strond 17
Po Box 3018
FO 110 Tórshavn
Faroe Islands
Phone: (+298) 35 14 48
e-mail: [email protected]
Southeast Jutland Police
Holmboes Alle 2
8700 Horsens
Phone: +45 76 28 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
South Jutland Police
Kirkegade 76
6700 Esbjerg
Phone: +45 76 11 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
Funen Police
Hans Mules Gade 1-3
5000 Odense C
Phone: +45 66 14 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
South Zealand and Lolland-Falster Police
Parkvej 50
4700 Næstved
Phone: +45 55 31 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
Central and West Zealand Police
Skovbogade 3
4000 Roskilde
Phone: +45 46 35 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
North Zealand Police
Prøvestensvej 1
3000 Helsingør
Phone: +45 49 27 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
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police in denmark
Greenland Police
Imaneq 22
3900 Nuuk
Greenland
Phone: (+299) 32 14 48
E-mail: [email protected]
If you wish to contact your local police or
the nearest police in Denmark, you may
also call 114. In case of urgent matters,
call 112.
WEBSITES
Ministry of Justice
www.jm.dk
The Police
www.politi.dk
Police training
www.blivpolitibetjent.dk
www.politiskolen.dk
Director of Public Prosecutions
www.rigsadvokaten.dk