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{{Short description|Law enforcement organization in Norway}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
|agencyname      = Norwegian Police Service
|nativename      = {{lang|no|Politi- og lensmannsetaten}}
|commonname      = Politi
|abbreviation    =
|patch           =
|patchcaption    =
|logo            = Coat of arms of the Norwegian Police Service.svg
|logocaption     = Coat of arms
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|mission         =
|formedyear      = 13th century
|formedmonthday  =
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|employees       = 13,000
|volunteers      =
|budget          = {{NOK|13 billion}} (2010)
|legalpersonality =
|country         = Norway
|countryabbr     =
|national        = Yes
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|police          = Yes
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|sworntype       =
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|unsworntype     =
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|electeetype     = Minister
|minister1name   = [[Emilie Enger Mehl]]
|minister1pfo    = [[Minister of Justice and Public Security]]
|chief1name      = [[Odd Reidar Humlegård]]
|chief1position  = National Police Commissioner
|parentagency    = [[Ministry of Justice and Public Security]]
|child1agency    =
|unittype        = National unit
|unitname        = {{collapsible list |[[National Criminal Investigation Service (Norway)|National Criminal Investigation Service]] |[[National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime in Norway]] |[[National Police Immigration Service (Norway)|National Police Immigration Service]] |[[National Mobile Police Service (Norway)|National Mobile Police Service]] |[[Norwegian Border Commissioner]] |[[National Police Computing and Material Service (Norway)|National Police Computing and Material Service]] |[[Norwegian Police University College]]}}
|officetype      = Police district
|officename      = 12
|provideragency  =
|uniformedas     =
|stationtype     = Station
|stations        = 66
|airbases        = 
|lockuptype      = Sheriff's office
|lockups         = 301
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|aircraft1type   = Helicopter
|aircraft1       = 3 [[AgustaWestland AW169]]
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}}

The '''Norwegian Police Service''' ({{lang-no|Politi- og lensmannsetaten}}) is the [[Norway|Norwegian]] national civilian [[police]] agency. The service dates to the 13th century when the first [[lensmann|sheriffs]] were appointed, and the current structure established in 2003. It comprises a central [[National Police Directorate (Norway)|National Police Directorate]], seven specialty agencies and [[list of police districts in Norway|twelve police districts]]. The [[government agency]] is subordinate to the [[Ministry of Justice and the Police (Norway)|Ministry of Justice and Public Security]] and has 16,000 employees, of which 8,000 are [[police officer]]s. In addition to [[Police|police power]]s, the service is responsible for [[border guard|border control]], certain civil duties, coordinating [[search and rescue]] operations, [[counterterrorism]], [[highway patrol]]ling, [[writ of execution]], [[criminal investigation]] and [[prosecution]]. The directorate is led by National Police Commissioner [[Odd Reidar Humlegård]].

Each police district is led by a chief of police and is subdivided into several [[police station]]s in towns and cities, and sheriffs' offices for rural areas. The [[Governor of Svalbard]] acts as chief of police for [[Svalbard]]. Norwegian police officers do not carry [[firearm]]s, but keep their [[Heckler & Koch MP5]] submachine guns and [[Heckler & Koch P30]] pistols locked down in the patrol cars. The [[Norwegian Prosecuting Authority]] is partially integrated with the police.

Specialist agencies within the services include the [[National Criminal Investigation Service (Norway)|National Criminal Investigation Service]], the [[National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime in Norway|National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime]] (Økokrim), the [[National Police Immigration Service (Norway)|National Police Immigration Service]], the [[National Mobile Police Service (Norway)|National Mobile Police Service]], the [[Norwegian Border Commissioner]], the [[National Police Computing and Material Service (Norway)|National Police Computing and Material Service]] and the [[Norwegian Police University College]]. Several other national responsibilities are under the command of [[Oslo Police District]], such as the [[police tactical unit]] [[Delta (Norwegian police unit)|Delta]] and the two [[police helicopter]]s. The [[Norwegian Police Security Service|Police Security Service]] is separate from the National Police Directorate.

==History==
{{main|History of the Norwegian Police Service}}
The police force in Norway was established during the 13th century. Originally the 60 to 80 sheriffs (''[[lensmann]]'') were predominantly used for writ of execution and to a less degree police power. In the cities the duties were originally taken care of by a {{Lang|no|gjaldker}}. The sheriffs were originally subordinate to the ''[[sysselmann]]'', but from the 14th century they instead became subordinate to the [[bailiff]] ({{Lang|no|[[fogd]]}}) and the number of sheriffs increased. In the cities the police authority was transferred directly to the bailiff. By the mid-17th century there were between 300 and 350 sheriffs. With the introduction of the [[absolute monarchy]] in 1660 and subsequent strengthening of the civil service, the importance of the police increased. The bailiffs as such became part of the police structure, with their superiors, the [[county governor (Norway)|county governor]], receiving a similar role as that of chief of police. The first titled chief of police was hired in [[Trondheim]] in 1686, thus creating the first police district, although his jurisdiction only covered the city proper. Chiefs of police were hired in [[Bergen]] in 1692, [[Oslo|Christiania]] (Oslo) in 1744 and [[Christianssand]] in 1776.<ref name=history1>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20002001/stmeld-nr-22-2000-2001-/3/8.html?id=431929 |title=Politireform 2000 Et tryggere samfunn |chapter=3.8 Historikk |date=12 January 2001 |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice and the Police (Norway)|Ministry of Justice and the Police]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526042558/https://www.webcitation.org/69ziJdvGz?url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20002001/stmeld-nr-22-2000-2001-/3/8.html%3Fid=431929 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Police constables Norway 1908.jpg|thumb|left|Norwegian police constables in 1908]]
From the 19th century, deputies were hired in larger areas to assist the sheriffs. Following the [[Norway in 1814|democratization in 1814]], the Ministry of Justice was created in 1818 and has since had the primary responsibility for organizing the police force. The 19th century saw a large increase in the number of chiefs of police, reaching sixteen by the middle of the century. Christiania established the country's first uniformed corps of constables in 1859, which gave the force a more unified appearance. Similar structures were soon introduced in many other cities. From 1859 the [[municipalities of Norway|municipalities]] would finance the wages of the deputies and constables, which made it difficult for the police to use those forces outside the municipal borders.<ref name=history1 /> The first organized education of police officers started in Christiania in 1889.<ref name=phshist>{{cite web |url=http://www.phs.no/no/Om-PHS/Fakta-og-tal/PHS-sin-historie/ |title=Historie |publisher=[[Norwegian Police University College]] |language=no |access-date=9 November 2010 |archive-date=9 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109012337/http://www.phs.no/no/Om-PHS/Fakta-og-tal/PHS-sin-historie/}}</ref>

In 1894 the authorities decided to abolish the position of bailiff and it was decided that some of its tasks would be transferred to the sheriffs. This resulted in 26 new chief of police positions, largely corresponding to the old [[bailiwick]]s. Some received jurisdiction over both cities and rural areas, other just rural areas. At the same time the existing police districts were expanded to include the surrounding rural areas. However, the individual bailiff were not removed from office until their natural retirement, leaving some bailiwick in place until 1919. The reform eliminated the difference between the rural and city police forces; yet the sheriffs were only subordinate to the chief of police in police matters—in civil matters and administration they remained under the county governors.<ref name=history1 />

[[File:Police students, Storberget and Gjengedal patrolling.jpg|thumb|upright|Police students (left), [[Minister of Justice and the Police (Norway)|Minister of Justice and the Police]] [[Knut Storberget]] (middle) and Oslo Chief of Police [[Anstein Gjengedal]] (right) in 2008]]
The police school was established in 1920<ref name=phshist /> and the Governor of Svalbard was created in 1925.<ref>{{cite book |last=Arlov |first=Thor B. |title=A short history of Svalbard |year=1994 |url=http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2007032002001 |publisher=[[Norwegian Polar Institute]] |location=Oslo |isbn=82-90307-55-1 |page=68}}</ref> To increase the police force's flexibility, the municipal funding was cut and replaced with state funding in 1937.<ref name=history1 /> That year also saw the first two specialty agencies were created, the Police Surveillance Agency (later the Police Security Service) and the Mobile Police Service.<ref name=history2>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20002001/stmeld-nr-22-2000-2001-/3/9.html?id=431932 |title=Politireform 2000 Et tryggere samfunn |chapter=3.9 Organisasjonsutvikling fra 70 årene til i dag |date=12 January 2001 |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice and the Police (Norway)|Ministry of Justice and the Police]] |language=no |access-date=18 August 2012 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526042802/https://www.webcitation.org/6A0iZysqv?url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20002001/stmeld-nr-22-2000-2001-/3/9.html%3Fid=431932 |url-status=live}}</ref> After a border agreement was reached between Norway and the Soviet Union in 1949, the Norwegian Border Commission was established the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grensekom.no/grensekom_boken.pdf |title=Overenkomsten |last=Johanson |first=Bodil B. |publisher=[[Norwegian Border Commissioner]] |language=no |page=41 |access-date=14 August 2007 |archive-date=14 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814011638/http://www.grensekom.no/grensekom_boken.pdf}}</ref> The Criminal Investigation Service was established in 1959,<ref name=history2 /> and the search and rescue system with two joint coordination centers and sub-centers for each police district was created in 1970.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/kilde/jd/bro/2003/0005/ddd/pdfv/183865-infohefte_engelsk.pdf |title=The Norwegian Search and Rescue Service |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice and the Police (Norway)|Ministry of Justice and the Police]] |access-date=18 August 2012 |archive-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522093939/http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/kilde/jd/bro/2003/0005/ddd/pdfv/183865-infohefte_engelsk.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

The number of police districts was nearly constant from 1894 to 2002, although a few have been creased and closed.<ref name=history1 /> However, the organization in the various police districts varied considerably, especially in the cities. In particular, some cities had their civilian responsibilities taken care of by the municipality. This was confusing for the public, resulting in the police services reorganizing to a homogeneous organization during the 1980s, whereby the civil tasks being organized as part of the police stations.<ref name=history2 /> Økokrim was established in 1988<ref name=oppgaver /> and in 1994 the administrative responsibilities for the sheriff's offices was transferred to police districts.<ref name=history1 /> Only once has the order to [[deadly force|shoot to kill]] been issued, during the [[Torp hostage crisis]] in 1994.<ref>{{cite news |title=– Jeg var både dommer og bøddel |date=12 March 2003 |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2003/03/12/363773.html |work=[[Dagbladet]] |language=no |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-date=24 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024142411/http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2003/03/12/363773.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The police school became a [[university college]] in 1993 and introduced a three-year education; in 1998 a second campus opened in [[Bodø]].<ref name=phshist /> Police Reform 2000 was a major restructuring of the police force. First the National Police Directorate was created in 2001,<ref name=n7>National Police Directorate (2010): 7</ref> and from 2003 the number of police districts were reduced from 54 to 27.<ref name=history1 /> The Police Computing and Material Service and the Criminal Investigation Service were both established in 2004.<ref name=oppgaver /> Ten police officers have been killed in service since 1945.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ti politimenn drept siden krigen |date=4 March 2010 |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/03/04/nyheter/innenriks/drap/politiet/10698875/ |last=Gjerstad |first=Tore |work=[[Dagbladet]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=10 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010115521/http://www.dagbladet.no/2010/03/04/nyheter/innenriks/drap/politiet/10698875/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Gjørv Report]] following the [[2011 Norway attacks]] criticized several aspects of the police force, labeling the work as "unacceptable".<ref>{{cite news |title=Norway police 'could have stopped Breivik sooner' |date=13 August 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19241327  |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=3 September 2012 |archive-date=14 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114010312/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19241327 |url-status=live}}</ref> National Commissioner [[Øystein Mæland]] withdrew following the criticism, in part because an internal report of the attacks had not found any criticism of the police force.<ref>{{cite news |title=Norway police chief quits over Breivik report |date=16 August 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19290947 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=3 September 2012 |archive-date=14 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114015930/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19290947 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Structure==
[[File:C.J. Hambros plass 2.JPG|thumb|left|Head offices of the [[National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime in Norway]] in Oslo]]

The [[National Police Directorate (Norway)|National Police Directorate]], located in [[Sentrum, Oslo|Downtown Oslo]], is the central administration for the Norwegian Police Service. It conducts management and supervision of the specialist agencies and police districts, including organizational development and support activities.<ref name=n7 /> The directorate is led by the National Police Commissioner, who, since 2012, has been [[Odd Reidar Humlegård]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/22juli/Politimestrene-uenige-om-Humlegard-er-rett-mann-til-a-bli-ny-politidirektor-6967953.html |title=Politimestrene uenige om Humlegård er rett mann til å bli ny politidirektør |last=Hamnes |first=Leif |work=[[Teknisk Ukeblad]] |date=17 August 2012 |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=18 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818143119/http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/22juli/Politimestrene-uenige-om-Humlegard-er-rett-mann-til-a-bli-ny-politidirektor-6967953.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[National Criminal Investigation Service (Norway)|National Criminal Investigation Service]] is a national unit which works with [[organized crime|organized]] and serious crime. It both works as an assistant unit for police districts, with special focus on [[forensic science|technical and tactical investigation]], in addition to being responsible on its own for organized crime. It acts as the center for international police cooperation, including participation in [[Interpol]] and [[Europol]].<ref>National Police Directorate (2010): 15</ref> The [[National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime in Norway|National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime]] is responsible for complex cases of [[economic crime]] and acts as a public prosecutor for those cases.<ref>National Police Directorate (2010): 16</ref> The [[National Police Immigration Service (Norway)|National Police Immigration Service]] registers and identifies [[asylum seeker]]s and returns those which have their applications rejected.<ref>National Police Directorate (2010): 17</ref> The [[National Mobile Police Service (Norway)|National Mobile Police Service]] is based in [[Stavern]] and operates throughout the country. Their primary role is as highway patrol and manages the police reserves, although they also assist police districts in extraordinary events where extra manpower is needed or where they are in the vicinity.<ref>National Police Directorate (2010): 17–18</ref>

[[File:14-09-02-oslo-RalfR-162.jpg|thumb|[[Mercedes-Benz Vito]] police transport van]]
[[File:Politibil Kristiansand politistasjon 0992 ø 2017.jpg|thumb|[[BMW X5]] command vehicle]]
The [[Norwegian Border Commissioner]] is located in [[Kirkenes]] and is responsible for managing the [[Norway–Russia border]] and upholding the border agreement. Special consideration is needed as it is the only non-[[Schengen Area]] land border of Norway. Border controls are the responsibility of the respective police district. The [[National Police Computing and Material Service (Norway)|National Police Computing and Material Service]] is responsible for managing the police's [[information and communications technology]], [[procurement]], security and real estate.<ref>National Police Directorate (2010): 18</ref> Norway has two [[joint rescue coordination center]]s, [[Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Northern Norway|one for Northern Norway]] located in Bodø and on [[Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Southern Norway|one for Southern Norway]] located in [[Sola, Norway|Sola]]. Their jurisdiction border goes at the [[65th parallel north]] ([[Nord-Trøndelag]]–[[Nordland]] border). Organizationally they are directly subordinate to the Ministry of Justice and the Police, although their operations are subordinate to the chiefs of police in [[Salten Police District|Salten]] and [[Rogaland Police District|Rogaland]], respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hovedredningssentralen.no/english/index.asp |title=Welcome |publisher=Joint Rescue Coordination Centres Southern Norway and Northern Norway  |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=8 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508145226/http://www.hovedredningssentralen.no/english/index.asp |url-status=live}}</ref> The Police Security Service is Norway's [[security agency]]; although considered a law enforcement agency, it is not subordinate to the National Police Directorate nor part of the Norwegian Police Service.<ref>National Police Directorate (2010): 5</ref>

Metropolitan Norway is divided into [[list of police districts in Norway|27 police districts]]. Each district is further subdivided into local police stations and rural police districts, the latter led by a sheriff. Each police district is headquartered at a main police station and is led by a [[chief of police]]. Police districts hold a common pool of resources and personnel and have a common administration and budget. Each also has a joint operations center which also acts as an [[emergency call]] center for [[112 (emergency telephone number)|112]]. Many of the larger districts have their own execution and enforcement authority, while this in integrated in the smaller districts.<ref>National Police Directorate (2010): 8</ref> The size of the police districts varies, from Oslo with 2,500 employees and covering a population of 570,000<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politi.no/oslo/om_oss/ |title=Om Oslo politidistrikt |publisher=Norwegian Police Service |access-date=16 August 2012 |language=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308050907/https://www.politi.no/oslo/om_oss/ |archive-date=8 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> to [[Eastern Finnmark Police District|Eastern Finnmark]] which has 160 employees and 30,000 residents.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politi.no/ostfinnmark/om_oss/ |title=Om Østfinnmark politidistrikt |publisher=Norwegian Police Service |access-date=16 August 2012 |language=no}}</ref>

[[File:Norwegian Police Boat.jpg|thumb|left|[[Water police]] mission near [[Drøbak]] in the [[Oslofjord]]]]
Each districts has specially-trained mobile units for armed and other challenging missions, and dog units for narcotics and search and rescue missions. The police districts also have police boats for coastal waters and selected lakes, with focus on [[driving under the influence]], speeding and [[environmental monitoring]].<ref>National Police Directorate (2010): 11</ref> In [[Troms]] and [[Finnmark]], the [[Reindeer Police]] are responsible for monitoring and supervising [[reindeer husbandry]] and environmental supervision.<ref name="National Police Directorate 2010">National Police Directorate (2010): 12</ref> As of 2009 there were 301 rural police districts, 68 local police stations and 10 execution and enforcement authorities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nsd.uib.no/polsys/data/forvaltning/enhet/13621/desentralisert |title=Desentraliserte enheter og antall |publisher=[[Norwegian Social Science Data Services]] |access-date=16 August 2012 |language=no}}</ref>

Oslo Police District has a series of special divisions and task forces which provide aid to all other police districts when necessary. It is responsible for the two police helicopters, which is mostly used for traffic motoring, search and rescue and apprehension.<ref name="National Police Directorate 2010"/> The tactical unit Delta is for [[terrorism]], [[sabotage]] and [[hostage]] incidents, which is separate from the crisis and hostage negotiation service. Oslo's dog patrol service includes the national bomb squad. The departments further has a mobile deployment squad against [[demonstration (people)|demonstration]]s and [[riot]]s, a Police Negotiation Unit for use against barricades and kidnapping, a [[mounted police]], and the responsibility for protecting high-ranking government and royal officials.<ref>National Police Directorate (2010): 13</ref>

Svalbard is not part of the regular police districts—instead its law enforcement is handled by the Governor of Svalbard, who holds the responsibility as both county governor and chief of police, as well as other authority granted by the executive branch. Duties include [[environmental policy]], [[family law]], law enforcement, search and rescue, tourism management, information services, contact with foreign settlements, and abjudication in some areas of maritime inquiries and judicial examinations—albeit never in the same cases as acting as police.<ref name=admin>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/jd/Documents-and-publications/Reports-to-the-Storting-White-Papers/Reports-to-the-Storting/19992000/report-no-9-to-the-storting-/5-The-administration-of-Svalbard.html?id=456897 |title=Report No. 9 to the Storting (1999-2000): Svalbard  |publisher=[[Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police]] |chapter=The administration of Svalbard |date=29 October 1999 |archive-date=18 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718092450/http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/jd/documents-and-publications/reports-to-the-storting-white-papers/reports-to-the-storting/19992000/report-no-9-to-the-storting-/5-The-administration-of-Svalbard.html?id=456897 |url-status=live |access-date=19 April 2012}}</ref> [[Jan Mayen]] is subordinate to Salten Police District.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lovdata.no/for/sf/in/xd-19620601-3341.html |title=FOR 1962-06-01 nr 3341: Instruks for sjefen for den militære stasjon på Jan Mayen for så vidt angår fremmedkontroll og fiskerioppsyn. |publisher=[[Lovdata]] |language=no |access-date=18 August 2012 |archive-date=22 February 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222222722/http://www.lovdata.no/for/sf/in/xd-19620601-3341.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Jurisdiction and capabilities==
[[File:Fartskontroll.jpg|thumb|The [[National Mobile Police Service (Norway)|National Mobile Police Service]] performing a traffic control on [[European route E18|E18]]]]
Norway has a unified police, which means that there is a single police organization and that [[Police|police power]] and [[prosecutor]] power is not granted to other agencies within Norway.<ref name=grunnprinsipper>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20042005/stmeld-nr-42-2004-2005-/2.html?id=199244 |title=Politiets rolle og oppgaver |chapter=2 Grunnprinsipper for norsk politi |date=24 June 2005 |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice and the Police (Norway)|Ministry of Justice and the Police]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526042117/https://www.webcitation.org/69zXc1pGV?url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20042005/stmeld-nr-42-2004-2005-/2.html%3Fid=199244 |url-status=live}}</ref> The sole exception is the [[military police]], albeit which only has jurisdiction over military personnel and on military installations, except during [[martial law]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lovdata.no/all/tl-19880520-033-0.html |title=Lov om politimyndighet i det militære forsvar. |publisher=[[Lovdata]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=22 February 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222194038/http://www.lovdata.no/all/tl-19880520-033-0.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The police are decentralized and generalized to allow a more flexible resource allocation, while remaining under political control. This entails that police officers have no geographical or sector limitations to their powers.<ref name=grunnprinsipper /> The Police Act and several special laws regulate the agencies and the officer's powers and responsibilities.<ref name=oppgaver>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20042005/stmeld-nr-42-2004-2005-/4.html?id=199272 |title=Politiets rolle og oppgaver |chapter=4 Politiets organisering, oppgaver og oppgaveløsning |date=24 June 2005 |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice and the Police (Norway)|Ministry of Justice and the Police]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526042159/https://www.webcitation.org/69zZZ9HJh?url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20042005/stmeld-nr-42-2004-2005-/4.html%3Fid=199272 |url-status=live}}</ref> The police are required to assist other public institutions, including the healthcare authorities, and can be asked by other agencies to assist when it is necessary to enact a decision by force. Conversely, the police can ask for assistance from the [[Norwegian Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] when necessary. The police are responsible for all responses against terrorism and sabotage unless Norway is under [[war|armed attack]].<ref name=oppgaver />

Responsibilities and functions related to security includes patrolling, continual emergency availability, highway patrolling, [[water police|sea patrolling]], coordination of search and rescue activities, embassy security and as a [[body guard]] service for members of the government, the royal family and other in need. The crime fighting responsibility is split between preventative measures, such as information, observation and controls, and consequential measures, such as investigation and prosecution. The police further have duties related to civilian court cases, such as writ of execution, evaluation of natural damage, assisting the courts after [[bankruptcies]] and functioning as a [[notary public]].<ref name=oppgaver />

[[File:OSLpass.JPG|thumb|left|[[Romerike Police District]] is responsible for the passport control at [[Oslo Airport, Gardermoen]]]]
The police have a series of functions related to public management, such as the issuing of [[Norwegian passport|passports]] and [[Norwegian identity card|national identity cards]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Om pass og ID-kort|url=https://www.politiet.no/tjenester/pass-og-id-kort/om-pass-og-id-kort/|access-date=2020-11-30|website=Politiet|language=nb}}</ref> [[firearms license]]s, [[police certificate]]s, permissions for lotteries and withdrawal of [[driving license]]s, approval of [[security guard]] companies and [[bouncer (doorman)|bouncers]], recommendations to municipal councils for issuing alcohol sales licenses, approval of [[second-hand shop]]s and arrangements which are otherwise unlawful, dealing with unowned dogs and animals in the care of people sentenced unsuitable to hold animals.<ref name=oppgaver />

The police also have the responsibility for [[prisoner transport]] during [[detention (imprisonment)|detention]], including transport to and from court. The police serve as [[border guard]]s for the outer border of the [[Schengen Area]]. The busiest are [[Oslo Airport, Gardermoen]], which has 130 man-years tied to it, [[Storskog]] on the Russian border and [[Sandefjord Airport, Torp]]. These are the only borders with designated border employees—all other are manned with regular officers. The police is not responsible for [[customs]], which is the responsibility of the [[Norwegian Customs and Excise Authorities]]. Norway participates in a series of international police cooperation, such as [[Interpol]], [[Europol]], the [[Schengen Information System]], [[Frontex]], and the [[Baltic Sea Task Force on Organized Crime]]. Norway also has a close cooperation with the other Nordic police forces. The Norwegian Police Service occasionally participates in international operations.<ref name=oppgaver />

In 2011 the police force had 746,464 assignments, the most common with 180,000 assignments being investigation cases, such as reported deaths, controls and reports of [[motor vehicle theft]]. This was followed by traffic assignments, public [[Breach of the peace|disturbance of peace]], animal cases, theft, private disturbance of peace, and sickness and psychiatry. Seventy-five percent of assignments are solved with a single patrol, while ninety percent are solved with one and two. In armed situations only twenty percent are solved with a single patrol.<ref name=foss>{{cite web |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/En-av-to-politifolk-far-ikke-lov-til-a-rykke-ut-6978973.html |title=En av to politifolk får ikke lov til å rykke ut |last=Foss |first=Andreas Bakke |work=[[Aftenposten]] |date=31 August 2012 |language=no |access-date=31 August 2012 |archive-date=1 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901073124/http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/En-av-to-politifolk-far-ikke-lov-til-a-rykke-ut-6978973.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010 the Norwegian Police Service had 13 billion [[Norwegian krone]] in costs, of which seventy percent was used on wages. It employed 13,493 man-years, or 1.6 man-years per 1000 residents. There were 394,137 reported offenses, or 81.1 per 1000 people, of which 46 percent were solved. There were 5,399 debt settlements, 226,491 applications for writ of execution, 195,345 immigration cases and 4,615 forced returns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/03/05/politi_statres_en/ |title=Politiet som del av påtalemyndigheten |publisher=[[Statistics Norway]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=25 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825210153/http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/03/05/politi_statres_en/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Investigation and prosecution==
[[File:Police officers securing DNA.jpg|thumb|A police student demonstrates securing [[DNA evidence]].]]
The [[Norwegian Prosecuting Authority]] is integrated into the Norwegian Police Service. The authority is divided into a higher and lower authority, with the higher authority (public prosecutor) being a separate government agency and the lower authority (police prosecutor) being members of the police. The latter includes chief of police, deputy chief of police, police prosecutors and deputy police prosecutors. In questions of prosecution the police districts are subordinate to the Norwegian Prosecuting Authority and in other matters subordinate to the National Police Directorate.<ref name=oppgaver />

The higher authorities will take decisions in serious criminal charges and for appeals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politi.no/om_politiet/rettsvesenet_i_norge/politiets_del_av_patalemyndigheten/ |title=Police and prosecution – StatRes |publisher=Norwegian Police Service |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=17 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717042728/https://www.politi.no/om_politiet/rettsvesenet_i_norge/politiets_del_av_patalemyndigheten/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Norwegian Persecuting Authority is led by the Director General of Public Prosecutions,<ref name=prosecution>National Police Directorate (2010): 29</ref> which since 1997 has been [[Tor-Aksel Busch]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2012/06/21/nyheter/innenriks/terror/anders_behring_breivik/breivik/22225547/ |title=– Hun bør bli vår neste riksadvokat |last=Foss |first=Andreas Bakke |work=[[Dagbladet]] |date=22 June 2012 |language=no |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814115943/http://www.dagbladet.no/2012/06/21/nyheter/innenriks/terror/anders_behring_breivik/breivik/22225547/|url-status=live}}</ref> The director general makes decisions of [[indictment]] in cases with a maximum penalty of twenty-one years and certain other serious crimes.<ref name=prosecution /> There are twelve subordinate agencies, ten regional and two supporting Kripos and Økokrim, respectively. The regional public prosecution offices take decisions regarding cases not covered by the director general or the police prosecutors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.riksadvokaten.no/no/english/ |title=Welcome to The higher prosecution autorothies – The Director of Public Prosecutions and the Regional Public Prosecution Offices |publisher=[[Norwegian Prosecuting Authority]] |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-date=21 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121233341/http://www.riksadvokaten.no/no/english/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

If an offense is filed, the issue may be investigated by police on duty. Permission for [[search and seizure]] is issued by the police prosecutor on duty at the police district. Apprehended people are permitted a free [[defense counsel]] at the public's expense. If the police wish to keep apprehended people in [[detention (imprisonment)|detention]], the issue is brought to the relevant [[district court (Norway)|district court]], a process which may be repeated several times if the custody needs to be extended. Investigations are led by a police prosecutor. During investigation, the case may be concluded as a non-criminal offense, dismissed, or transferred to another police district. Minor cases with a positive finding may be resolved by police penalty notice, settlement by a conflict resolution board and withdrawal of prosecution.<ref name=procedure>National Police Directorate (2010): 31–33</ref>

Criminal cases with an assumed perpetrator are sent to the public prosecutor, who will consider issuing an indictment. If positive, the trial will take place at a district court, with a police prosecutor presiding over the case.<ref name=procedure /> Cases with more than six years maximum penalty will normally be carried out with public prosecutors prosecuting.<ref name=prosecution /> Either party can, on specified terms, appeal the outcome of the case to the [[court of appeal (Norway)|court of appeal]] and ultimately the [[Supreme Court of Norway]].<ref name="procedure"/>

==Education and employment==

Education of police officers is the responsibility of the [[Norwegian Police University College]], which is subordinate to the National Police Directorate. The main campus is located at [[Majorstuen]] in Oslo, while the secondary campus is located at [[Mørkved]] in Bodø. In addition the college has training centers in [[Kongsvinger]] and [[Stavern]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phs.no/Om-PHS/ |title=Om PHS |publisher=[[Norwegian Police University College]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=25 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825002247/http://www.phs.no/Om-PHS/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Police officer training is a three-year [[bachelor's degree]], where the first and third year take place at the college and the second year is on-the-ground training in police districts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://polis.osce.org/countries/details?item_id=41 |title=Norway |publisher=[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=18 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318200409/http://polis.osce.org/countries/details?item_id=41 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2009, 1990 people applied for 432 places at the college. From 2010, admission is administrated through the [[Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phs.no/Om-PHS/Fakta-og-tal/Opptakstatistikk/ |title=Opptakstatistikk |publisher=[[Norwegian Police University College]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=26 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226075446/http://www.phs.no/om-phs/fakta-og-tal/opptakstatistikk/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The college also has a three-year part-time [[master's degree]] in police science.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phs.no/Studietilbud/Master/ |title=Master |publisher=[[Norwegian Police University College]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=25 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825234018/http://www.phs.no/Studietilbud/Master/ |url-status=live}}</ref> As the chief of police and deputy chief of police are part of the prosecuting authority, they must be a [[candidate of law]] to act in such a position.<ref name=oppgaver /> Although there no longer is a formal requirement for such an education, the role as prosecutor effectively hinders others from holding the position.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20002001/stmeld-nr-22-2000-2001-/3/6.html?id=431923 |title=Politireform 2000 Et tryggere samfunn |chapter=3.6 Kompetanse |date=12 January 2001 |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice and the Police (Norway)|Ministry of Justice and the Police]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526042238/https://www.webcitation.org/69zdiTFwj?url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20002001/stmeld-nr-22-2000-2001-/3/6.html%3Fid=431923 |url-status=live}}</ref>

At the time of graduation all officers are qualified for operational service. However, each employee must undergo 40 hours of yearly training, including firearms practice, to keep their operational certification. Without this, they cannot patrol, use firearms or participate in actions. Forty-four percent of police officers in 2012 lacked such certification. The main reason is that the police districts see it as a waste of resources to train investigation and administrative staff which do not participate in operative duty, and that a higher quality is achieved through specialization of tasks, such as dedicated investigation personnel.<ref name=foss />

Each police district may dictate that operational personnel have a higher amount of training, for instance 80 hours is required in Oslo. Officers are certified at five levels, of which the top four can use firearms. Level three consists of a call-out unit for each police district, consisting of a combined 646 people. This requires 103 hours of special training per year. Higher levels are required for body-guard service (55 officers) and the tactical unit Delta (73 officers). All certification curriculum is developed by and organized by the university college.<ref name=foss />

[[File:Norwegian_police_helicopter_LN-ORA.jpg|thumb|[[AW169]] operated by the Norwegian Police Service.]]
The [[Norwegian Police Federation]] is the [[trade union]] which organizes employees from all levels within the police force.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://unio.no/kunder/unio/cms2011.nsf/pages/politiets-fellesforbund03 |title=Politiets Fellesforbund |date=11 October 2011 |publisher=[[Confederation of Unions for Professionals, Norway]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=10 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710115127/http://www.unio.no/kunder/unio/cms2011.nsf/pages/politiets-fellesforbund03 |url-status=live}}</ref> The federation is a member of the [[Confederation of Unions for Professionals, Norway]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uho.no/kunder/unio/cms2011.nsf/pages/english |title=English |date=11 October 2011 |publisher=[[Confederation of Unions for Professionals, Norway]] |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=21 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721181435/http://www.uho.no/kunder/unio/cms2011.nsf/pages/english |url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[European Confederation of Police]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurocop.org/members/full-list.html |title=Full list |publisher=[[European Confederation of Police]] |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=4 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004061612/http://www.eurocop.org/members/full-list.html |url-status=live}}</ref> It is illegal for police officers to [[strike action|strike]].<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/nouer/1994/nou-1994-1/4.html?id=139386 |title=Streikerett for politiet og lensmannsetaten |chapter=3 Streikeforbudet for politiet |work=Norges Offentlige Utredninger |date=28 July 1993 |issue=1 |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice and the Police (Norway)|Ministry of Justice and the Police]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526042037/https://www.webcitation.org/69zAzKj8S?url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/nouer/1994/nou-1994-1/4.html%3Fid=139386 |url-status=live}}</ref> The federation have nonetheless undertaken several actions, including collective [[sick leave]] to close a police station and by members sabotaging courses by not participating.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2012/08/16/kultur/debatt/22_juli-kommisjonen/22_juli_kommisjonen/politi/22993772/ |title=Ukulturen i politiet |last=Tuastad |first=Svein |work=[[Dagbladet]] |date=17 August 2012 |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=18 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818192028/http://www.dagbladet.no/2012/08/16/kultur/debatt/22_juli-kommisjonen/22_juli_kommisjonen/politi/22993772/ |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Police misconduct in Norway|Reports of misconduct]] and criminal offenses by officers during duty is investigated by the [[Norwegian Bureau for the Investigation of Police Affairs]]. Based in [[Hamar]], it is directly subordinate to the Ministry of Justice and the Police and is not part of the Norwegian Police Service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spesialenheten.no/Information/Aboutus/tabid/6015/Default.aspx |title=Om PHS |publisher=[[Norwegian Bureau for the Investigation of Police Affairs]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305043833/http://www.spesialenheten.no/Information/Aboutus/tabid/6015/Default.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Equipment==
As of 2023 the police's new patrol cars are [[four-wheel drive]] [[Volvo V90|Volvo V90CC]] with [[automatic transmission]]. New transport cars are [[Mercedes-Benz Vito]] for light transport and [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] for heavy transport.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hegnar.no/motor/article655750.ece |title=Politiet valgte VW Passat |last=Byberg |first=Øystein |publisher=[[Hegnar Online]] |date=20 September 2011 |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=30 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230043739/http://www.hegnar.no/motor/article655750.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> The police force operates three [[AW169]] helicopters, which are based at [[Oslo Airport, Gardermoen]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/22-juli/artikkel.php?artid=10070051 |title=Nytt politihelikopter på plass 1. juni  |last=Helsingeng |first=Terje |work=[[Verdens Gang]] |date=8 March 2012 |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307212940/http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/22-juli/artikkel.php?artid=10070051 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.tu.no/artikler/politidirektoren-fikk-en-luftetur-i-sitt-nye-100-millioner-kroners-helikopter/467352|title=Politidirektøren fikk en luftetur i sitt nye 100 millioner kroners-helikopter|work=TU.no|access-date=2019-06-11|language=no-NO}}</ref> In addition, Delta can use the [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]]'s [[Bell 412]] helicopters.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/smk/dok/nou-er/2012/nou-2012-14/14.html?id=697349 |title=Rapport fra 22. juli-kommisjonen |chapter=12 Helikopter og beredskap |work=Norges Offentlige Utredninger |issue=14 |publisher=[[Office of the Prime Minister (Norway)|Office of the Prime Minister]] |date=13 August 2012 |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526041917/https://www.webcitation.org/69z3Zld2k?url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/smk/dok/nou-er/2012/nou-2012-14/15.html%3Fid=697360 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Bevæpnet norsk politi.jpg|thumb|250px|Police officer armed with a [[Heckler & Koch MP5]].]]
The police have two main types of uniforms, type I is used for personnel which primarily undertake indoor work, and type II is used for personnel which primarily undertakes outdoor service. Both types have summer and winter versions, and type I also has a [[dress uniform]] version.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pdmt.politiet.no/publikasjoner/reglement/politi/600000_police_dress_regulations/602000.htm |title=Kapittel 2 – Tjenesteantrekk |publisher=[[National Police Computing and Material Service (Norway)|National Police Computing and Material Service]] |language=no |access-date=3 November 2005 |archive-date=3 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103045128/http://www.pdmt.politiet.no/publikasjoner/reglement/politi/600000_police_dress_regulations/602000.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Both types use black as the dominant color with light blue shirts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pdmt.politiet.no/publikasjoner/reglement/politi/602000_police_service_dresses/602104.htm |title=Tjenesteantrekk II – Grunnform |publisher=[[National Police Computing and Material Service (Norway)|National Police Computing and Material Service]] |language=no |access-date=3 November 2005 |archive-date=3 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103044741/http://www.pdmt.politiet.no/publikasjoner/reglement/politi/602000_police_service_dresses/602104.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pdmt.politiet.no/publikasjoner/reglement/politi/602000_police_service_dresses/602101.htm |title=Tjenesteantrekk I – Grunnform |publisher=[[National Police Computing and Material Service (Norway)|National Police Computing and Material Service]] |language=no |access-date=3 November 2005 |archive-date=3 November 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103044623/http://www.pdmt.politiet.no/publikasjoner/reglement/politi/602000_police_service_dresses/602101.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

Police officers are not armed with [[firearm]]s during patrolling, but have weapons locked down in the patrol cars. Arming of the locked-down weapons requires permission from the chief of police or someone designated by him.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20042005/Stmeld-nr-42-2004-2005-/6/7/2.html?id=199316: |title=Politiets rolle og oppgaver |chapter=6.7.2 Politiets bevæpningsadgang |date=24 June 2005 |publisher=[[Ministry of Justice and the Police (Norway)|Ministry of Justice and the Police]] |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526042844/https://www.webcitation.org/6A0qjjZQE?url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/jd/dok/regpubl/stmeld/20042005/Stmeld-nr-42-2004-2005-/6/7/2.html%3Fid=199316: |url-status=live}}</ref> The police use [[Heckler & Koch MP5]] submachine guns and [[Heckler & Koch P30]] semi-automatic pistols.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dt.no/nyheter/legger-vekk-revolveren-1.3378994 |title=Legger vekk revolveren |last=Bråten |first=Knut |work=[[Drammens Tidende]] |date=21 September 2008 |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=22 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722233833/http://dt.no/nyheter/legger-vekk-revolveren-1.3378994 |url-status=live}}</ref> Delta uses [[Diemaco C8]] assault rifles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2007/11/22/518942.html |title=Skytemistenkt var i statsministerens livvaktstyrke |last=Klungveit |first=Harald S. |work=[[Dagbladet]] |date=22 November 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082516/http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2007/11/22/518942.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Norwegian police officers use [[electroshock weapon]]s called Taser X2 and they started using it in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.8001269 |title=Over 500 døde av politiets elektrosjokkpistol |last=Wernersen |first=Camilla |publisher=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=18 February 2012 |language=no |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=22 February 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222213730/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.8001269 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Previously the police used a decentralized information technology system developed during the mid-1990s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.idg.no/computerworld/article107327.ece |title=Mer it-trøbbel for politiet |last=Oreld |first=Michael |work=[[Computerworld]] |date=23 September 2008 |language=no |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-date=26 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926002903/http://www.idg.no/computerworld/article107327.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> As late as 2012 servers were still being run with [[Windows NT 4.0]] from 1996 and log-on times were typically twenty minutes. The new IT-system D#2 was introduced in 2011 and will have been taken into use by all divisions by 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.politiforum.no/id/4436 |title=– Som en bil uten girkasse |last=Mortvedt |first=Ole |work=Politiforum |date=23 January 2012 |language=no |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320181440/http://www.politiforum.no/id/4436 |url-status=live}}</ref> D#2 will be operated by [[ErgoGroup]] and will have two [[redundancy (engineering)|redundant]] server centers. Personnel have access to the system via [[thin client]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.idg.no/computerworld/article203008.ece |title=Politiet får to nye datasentre |last=Kirknes |first=Leif Martin |work=[[Computerworld]] |date=29 March 2011 |language=no |access-date=2 September 2012 |archive-date=14 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414123655/http://www.idg.no/computerworld/article203008.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> The police have a system to raise a national alarm to close border crossings and call in reserve personnel. The one time it was activated the message was not received by any of the intended recipients.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tu.no/it/2012/08/13/riksalarm-stoppet-av-intern-krangel |title=Riksalarm stoppet av intern krangel |last= Zachariassen|first=Espen |work=[[Teknisk Ukeblad]] |date=13 August 2012 |language=no |access-date=31 August 2012 |archive-date=17 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817094335/http://www.tu.no/it/2012/08/13/riksalarm-stoppet-av-intern-krangel |url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2009 it has been possible to report criminal damage and theft of wallets, bicycles and mobile telephones without a known perpetrator(<span class="ltr">s</span>) online.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tu.no/it/2009/08/31/anmeld-pa-nett |title=Anmeld på nett |last= Hovland |first=Kjetil Malkenes  |work=[[Teknisk Ukeblad]] |date=31 August 2009 |language=no |access-date=31 August 2012 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201131150/http://www.tu.no/it/2009/08/31/anmeld-pa-nett |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Norwegian Public Safety Radio]] has been installed in all districts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dsb.no/no/Ansvarsomrader/Nasjonal-beredskap/Nodnett/Aktuelt-nodnett/Nodnett-apnes-offisielt/ |title=Nødnett åpnes offisielt |publisher=[[Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning]] |date=16 August 2010 |language=no |access-date=14 November 2010 |archive-date=24 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124101234/http://dsb.no/no/Ansvarsomrader/Nasjonal-beredskap/Nodnett/Aktuelt-nodnett/Nodnett-apnes-offisielt/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The system is uses [[Terrestrial Trunked Radio]] and allows for a common [[public safety network]] for all emergency agencies. Features include [[authentication]], [[encryption]] and possibilities to transmit data traffic.<ref name=tidsnod>{{cite web |url=http://www.tu.no/it/article239796.ece |title=Tidsnød-nettet |last=Hamnes |first=Leif |work=[[Teknisk Ukeblad]] |date=11 March 2010 |language=no |access-date=14 November 2010 |archive-date=24 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724175223/http://www.dinkom.no/FILES/dnk_brochure_english_180x285_trykt_120907.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Ranks<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114428/http://nettbutikk.politiet.no/epages/Nettbutikk.sf/no_NO/?ObjectPath=%2FShops%2FPDMT%2FCategories%2FPDMTOpenCategories%2FUniformsreglement%2F4__Distinksjoner1 Norwegian National Police]</ref> ==
{|style="border-spacing: 2px; border: 1px solid darkgray;"  
|+[[:no:Politigrader i Norge|Police ranks of Norway]]
|- align="center" style="background: #E0E0E0"
! Rank 
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politidirektør''
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Assisterende politidirektør''
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''[[:no:Politimester|Politimester]]''
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Visepolitimester''
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politiinspektør<br />[[:no:Politiadvokat|Politiadvokat]]'' (appointed before 1 Aug 2002)
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''[[:no:Politiadvokat|Politiadvokat]]'' (appointed after 1 Aug 2002)
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''[[:no:Politifullmektig|Politifullmektig]]''
|- align="center" style="background: #E0E0E0"
! Translation
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Director
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Assistant Police Director
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Master
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Vice Police Master
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Inspector<br />Police Advocate
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Advocate
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Proxy
|- align="center" style="background: #E0E0E0"
! Official Translation
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| National Police Commissioner
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Assistant National Commissioner
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Chief of Police
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Deputy Chief of Police
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Assistant Chief of Police<br />Police Prosecutor
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Prosecutor
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Junior Police Prosecutor
|- align="center" style="background: #E0E0E0"
! Equivalent<ref>Approximate Commonwealth equivalent by level of responsibility.</ref>
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Inspector-General]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Deputy inspector general of police|Deputy Inspector-General]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Commissioner]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Deputy Commissioner]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Assistant Commissioner]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Chief Superintendent]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Superintendent (police)|Superintendent]]
|- align="center" style="background: #E0E0E0"
! Insignia
||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 13.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 12.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 11.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 10.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 9.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 8.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 7.svg|100px]]
|- align="center" style="background: #E0E0E0"
! Rank
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politistasjonssjef<br />[[Lensmann]]''<br />''Politioverbetjent'' (appointed before 1 Aug 2002)
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politioverbetjent'' (appointed after 1 Aug 2002)
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politiførstebetjent''
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politibetjent 3''
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politibetjent 2''
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politibetjent 1''
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politireserven''
|- align="center" style="background: #E0E0E0"
! Former Rank
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| 
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politiassisterendestasjonssjef''
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politisjefinspectør''
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politiførsteinspectør''
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politioverbetjent'' (''Overkonstabel'')
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| ''Politibetjent'' (''Konstabel'')
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| 
|- align="center" style="background: #E0E0E0"
! Translation
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Station Chief<br />Sheriff<br />Police Senior Constable
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Senior Constable
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police First Constable
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Constable 3
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Constable 2
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Constable 1
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Reserve
|- align="center" style="background: #E0E0E0"
! Official Translation
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Chief Superintendent
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Superintendent
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Chief Inspector
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Inspector
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Sergeant
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Constable
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| Police Reserve
|- align="center" style="background: #E0E0E0"
! Equivalent
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Chief Inspector]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Inspector]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Sub-Inspector]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Sergeant Major]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Sergeant]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Constable]]
|width="14%" style="padding: 5px;"| [[Special Constable]]
|- align="center" style="background: #E0E0E0"
! Insignia
||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 6.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 5.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 4.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 3.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 2.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 1.svg|100px]]||[[Image:Norwegian police rank 0.svg|100px]] 
|}

== See also ==
* [[Crime in Norway]]
* [[Incarceration in Norway]]
* [[Royal Police Escort]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography
* {{cite web |url=https://www.politi.no/vedlegg/rapport/Vedlegg_858.pdf |title=The Police in Norway |author=National Police Directorate |year=2010 |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-date=13 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913224759/https://www.politi.no/vedlegg/rapport/Vedlegg_858.pdf |url-status=dead |author-link=National Police Directorate }}

==External links==
{{commons category|Police of Norway}}
* [https://www.politi.no Official site]

{{Norwegian Police Service}}
{{Norway topics}}
{{Europe topic|Law enforcement in}}
{{Police}}
{{European Border and Coast Guard|state=expanded}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Law enforcement in Norway| ]]
[[Category:13th-century establishments in Norway]]