National Police Commissioner (Sweden)

The National Police Commissioner of Sweden (Swedish: Rikspolischef) is the head of the Swedish Police Authority, appointed by the Government, responsible for all activities of the police. The current Commissioner is Anders Thornberg, who began serving February 15, 2018.[1]

National Police Commissioner of the Swedish Police Authority
Rikspolischef
Epaulette worn for the grade of National Police Commissioner (post-2015)
Incumbent
Anders Thornberg
since 15 February 2018
Swedish Police Authority (2015-)
National Police Board (1965-2014)
Reports toGovernment of Sweden
SeatPolishuset, Kungsholmen, Stockholm
AppointerGovernment of Sweden
Term length6 years
option to extended up to 3 years
Formation1965
First holderCarl Persson
DeputyHead of the National Operations Department
WebsiteOfficial website

Role

The office was created with the establishment of the National Police Board and the nationalization of the Swedish police in 1965.[2] The Commissioner is appointed by the Government for a period of six years, with an option to extend, but as a rule for no more than three years. The person holding the office must be a Swedish citizen.[3] Beyond that, the Government has considerable latitude in the recruitment of a new Commissioner, as the only legal framework is a single article in the constitution, leaving wide room for interpretation: "Appointments to posts at administrative authorities [organized] under the Government are made by the Government [...] When making appointments to posts within the State administration, only objective factors, such as merit and competence, shall be taken into account."[4][lower-alpha 1] The government has the power to dismiss a Commissioner for "extraordinary" and serious reasons, or if it's "in the nation's best interest." The Commissioner may also be reassigned to a different post, if called for due to organizational change, but only after a court decision.[3][4]

List of National Police Commissioners

The current Commissioner is Dan Eliasson, a lawyer and civil servant, whose appointment was announced by Minister for Home Affairs Anders Ygeman in November 2014, and began employment on January 1, 2015. He had previously served as Director-General of the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and State-Secretary in the Ministry of Justice.[1]

Björn Eriksson, former National Police Commissioner and President of Interpol, here pictured in 2009.
List of commissioners

The following lists commissioners in chronological order:[2]

Notes
  1. See the official translation of the constitution at the Riksdag website: 1974 Instrument of Government, Chapter 12, Art. 5

References
  1. Eichinger, Ronald (20 November 2014). "Dalabördig ny rikspolischef". Dalarnas Tidningar (in Swedish). Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  2. "Rikspolisstyrelsen". Nationalencyklopedin (in Swedish). Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  3. "SFS 1994:260 Lag om offentlig anställning" [Public Employment Act] (in Swedish). Government of Sweden. 28 April 1994. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  4. Österberg, Sven-Erik (23 November 2009). "Sverige förtjänar en professionell utnämningspolitik" (PDF) (in Swedish). Swedish Social Democratic Party. Retrieved 28 July 2015.

See also
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