The Danish Home Guard was established in 1948 to defend the country, especially in time of war. Recruitment is voluntary. Training in three stages -- basic, continuation, and command -- maintains a high state of readiness even under normal peacetime conditions. Special police Home Guard units (A-units) are attached to the Home Guard. In wartime, the primary task for the A-units is to assist the police. The units are under the command of police officers, and the chief constable can decide how they are to be used. The posts of company commander, the second in command, and the platoon leaders are usually held by police officers, although some civilians may be promoted to these jobs if no police officers are suitable. From 1970-1978, the number of police officers in A-units declined. If the decline continues, the close contact and cooperation between these units and the police may be lost. More police constables should be encouraged to join the police home guard units.