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Some Features of Police Organization in the Nordic Countries, 1970-1980 (From Crime and Crime Control in Scandinavia, 1976-80, P 41-47, 1980, Norman Bishop, ed. - See NCJ-74060)

NCJ Number
74066
Author(s)
H Lorentzen
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Features of police organizations in Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are described.
Abstract
In Finland, policemen are State employees, and the State covers administrative and operating expenses. Data show that manpower increased by about 8 percent between 1970 and 1980; the level of appropriations tended to rise until 1976, when a decline took place; and police concentration is highest in the large cities. Analysis of a strike in 1976 by Finnish police shows that certain forms of criminality, such as outdoor violent acts and thefts, rose during this period. The nationalization of the Swedish police in 1965 resulted in a steady increase in departmental resources. In addition, a distinction is now made between general surveillance, special supervision, and object surveillance, indicating the specialization of police surveillance work in Sweden. Other recent developments include the increasing use of technical aids and efforts at decentralizing the police in Sweden. Increases in manpower and appropriations have not been particularly large in Denmark, while growth among Norwegian police forces has been greater. Overall, the main tendency in all Scandinavian countries was for an increase in appropriations for the police during the 1970's, with a significant decrease occurring toward the end of the decade, except in Sweden. Data indicate that police departments, with the aid of technical equipment and changed work routines, have achieved significant improvements in operational effectiveness during the 1970's. Tabular data, footnotes, and three references are provided.