DANISH POLICE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED BY THE DANISH STATE SINCE 1938 AND CONSTITUTE A NATIONAL POLICE FORCE. POLICE INVOLVEMENT IN UNDERGROUND ACTIVITIES DURING THE 1939-1945 WAR RESULTED IN IMPRISONMENT FOR OVER 1,900 OF THEIR NUMBER. POLICE UNIONS FORMED FROM 1898-1902 HAVE RESULTED IN GOOD WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE POLICE IN THIS CENTURY, AND IN DENMARK POLICE ARE EXTENSIVELY INVOLVED IN POLITICAL LIFE. THE POLICE ARE DIVIDED INTO 54 JURISDICTIONS, INCLUDING GREENLAND, AND MAY BE UNIFORMED OR DETECTIVES, METROPOLITAN OR IN COMMAND OF A ONE-MAN RURAL STATION. IN ADDITION TO MAINTAINING ORDER AND COMBATTING CRIME, THE POLICE HAVE PROSECUTION AND CIVIL DEFENSE DUTIES, AND EMPLOY LAWYERS TO HELP THEM MAKE CUSTODY DECISIONS, MARRIAGE SETTLEMENTS, AND OTHER DECISIONS UNUSUAL FOR POLICE. THE DANISH MINISTER OF JUSTICE IS THE SUPREME CHIEF OF DANISH POLICE AND REGULATES RELATIONS BETWEEN THE POLICE JURISDICTIONS. THE POLICE FORCE APPOINTS ABOUT 400 NEW POLICEMEN A YEAR. THEY MUST BE 20 TO 27 YEARS OF AGE AND IN GOOD HEALTH. INITIAL POLICE TRAINING LASTS 3 YEARS AND COVERS THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL SUBJECTS. FURTHER TRAINING IN LEADERSHIP AND SPECIAL SKILLS IS PROVIDED FOR EXPERIENCED OFFICERS. INFORMATION IS ALSO PROVIDED FOR ON POLICE TRAINING COURSES AND THE POLICE BUDGET. MAPS AND TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)