NCJ Number
68374
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 49 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1980) Pages: 14-19
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE SWEDISH POLICE FORCE, NATIONALIZED IN 1965; TRAINING, ORGANIZATION, POLICE DUTIES, AND OTHER SUBJECTS ARE INCLUDED.
Abstract
DURING NATIONALIZATION, SWEDEN'S 554 LOCAL POLICE JURISDICTIONS WERE CONSOLIDATED INTO 119 DISTRICTS. COUNCILS OF CITIZENS FROM THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN GIVEN GREATER POWERS TO ADVISE THEIR POLICE, WHO ARE ADMINISTERED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL BY A NATIONAL BOARD CONTAINING MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. SWEDISH POLICE HAVE RESPONSIBILTY FOR TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT, CRIMINAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTIGATIONS, NATIONAL SECURITY, AND PROTECTING THE KING AND OTHER DIGNITARIES. LABORATORIES AND EQUIPMENT ARE MODERN AND EFFICIENT, AND COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION SYSTEMS STORE INFORMATION ON STOLEN PROPERTY, FINGERPRINTS, AND VEHICLES AND PERSONS.TWO LEVELS OF POLICE PERSONNEL ARE THE CAREER OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. ADMINISTRATORS ARE NOT RECRUITED OR PROMOTED FROM OFFICER RANKS BUT HAVE LAW DEGREES AND ENTER SPECIAL POLICE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS. TWO POLICE COLLEGES EDUCATE POLICE OFFICERS. BASIC TRAINING FOR NEW RECRUITS CONSISTS OF 43 WEEKS OF INSTRUCTION IN BOTH PRACTICAL AND ACADEMIC SUBJECTS, FOLLOWED BY ONE YEAR EACH OF UNIFORMED DUTY AND PLAINCLOTHES INVESTIGATION ASSIGNMENTS. CANDIDATES MUST BE 18-35, AND ABOUT 800 NEW RECRUITS ENTER TRAINING EACH YEAR. THE MOST IMPORTANT SWEDISH POLICE DUTIES ARE KEEPING THE PEACE AND AIDING CITIZENS, ESPECIALLY WITH TASKS RELATED TO THE GOVERNMENT. CRIME CONTROL IS PRIMARILY THE JOB OF SPECIALIZED, INVESTIGATION OFFICERS. SINCE THE SWEDISH POLICE FORCE CONTAINS MUCH SPECIALIZATION, OFFICERS DO NOT EXERCISE MUCH DISCRETION. CHARTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED.