A Swedish Police Union survey has put two pressures on new officers in the same frame: 82% of respondents with one to five years of service said they faced threats or violence during the surveyed 12 months, while 55% reported insufficient access to experienced instructors for incoming recruits.
The survey, conducted by Novus for the union in January and February 2026, received 1,314 responses from a random sample of the union’s member panel. The reported exposure declined with length of service, from 70% among respondents with six to ten years in the profession to 23% among those with more than 15 years.
The findings are respondents’ reported experiences, not a national incident rate for all Swedish police officers. They also do not establish that limited access to instructors causes threats or violence. Still, the Swedish Police Union says new officers commonly start in intervention work, where exposure is greatest, making experienced field guidance a practical safety issue rather than a staffing luxury.
The Swedish Police Authority told SVT in writing that it is working to reduce threats and violence against police employees through training and equipment reviews. It also said it has sought stronger incentives for officers to remain in field service, which could increase the pool of experienced instructors.
That response addresses the issue identified by the survey. But force expansion should be judged by more than the number of recruits: police leaders also need to retain experienced officers where newcomers first learn frontline work.
Sources
- SVT Nyheter · Source date: 2026-11-13
Independent editorial content. WUA is not affiliated with any political party. 2026-11-13