Police union: Eight out of ten new police officers are exposed to threats and violence

Just over one in five of the country's almost 26,000 police officers have worked for five years or less. In the new survey from the Police Association, 82 percent of those who have worked between one and five years answer that they were exposed to threats and violence during a one-year period. The incidence decreases the longer one has been in the profession, and for police officers who have worked for more than 15 years, that figure is 23 percent.

- The exposure to violence and threats of violence is greatest in intervention activities, where the new colleagues begin their careers. At the same time, we see that there is a lack of experienced colleagues in intervention activities in particular, says Katharina von Sydow, president of the Police Association.

Isn't dealing with threatening and violent situations part of the police profession itself?

- It absolutely is and police officers are trained to do it. But at the same time, we see that experience is a safety factor.

Lack of experienced instructors for aspirants

At the same time, 55 percent state that the Police Authority's access to experienced instructors is insufficient when accepting new aspirants. Only three percent answer that access is good.

- More police officers are still needed and then it is so important to create the conditions for those with experience to remain in external service so that the new police officers have a safe introduction and can grow into the profession, says Katharina von Sydow.

The police authority declines an interview, but writes that they work "systematically to reduce threats and violence against police employees" through training and reviewing equipment. The authority also writes that it "worked actively to increase the incentives for police officers to stay in external service", which can also increase the proportion of experienced instructors.

"Can take a hit in most situations"

Simon, whose real name is something else, has worked as a police officer in the external service for just under a year and a half. He believes that the threats and violence can be reduced if there are more police officers on external duty. At the same time, he says that you learn from every situation you are exposed to.

- When you're a new police officer, it's hard to see which situations you can get hit with, because you might be careless or inexperienced. But you learn quite quickly that you can actually get a hit in most situations, he says.