NCJ Number
73283
Date Published
1979
Length
86 pages
Annotation
This report addresses the role of Sweden's police in the total national defense system. Specifically, it deals with their function before and during mobilization in case of a surprise attack or coup and in the event of enemy occupation.
Abstract
Besides considering the defense function of police as it is understood from police laws and instructions written at the time of World War II, the report examines the status of police defense training and equipment, upgraded in 1978, and the police defense policies in Norway and Denmark. According to existing legislation, the primary police duty in time of war is to keep public order and preserve the safety and rights of citizens. Police are, however, expected to follow any special orders relating to defense passed down by their authorities, can be required by military authorities to participate in military defense activities, and can be asked to serve outside their normal jurisdiction. Police acquire greater responsibilities at the time of surprise attack or a coup. These include keeping a 24-hour watch over the affected area until mobilization has been completed, personally defending the country against attack during such an incident, and aiding in the mobilization effort. If an area is occupied by enemy soldiers, the police would probably be replaced by the enemy police. Until that time, the primary duty of keeping order and protecting citizens, as well as preventing crime, would hold. These duties will vary acording to the level of authority of the police department (local, regional, national). The report suggests that the law require police to take full responsibility for arresting enemy soldiers at the time of a surprise attack until mobilization, for maintaining order, and for serving military authorities at their request during emergency periods after consent of their local police authority. These and other duties should be clearly stated in a new revised law and police instruction. The text for such a law and instruction are included.