STOCKHOLM, May 17 (Xinhua) -- The Swedish Police Union has called on the government to investigate the possibility of hiring Norwegian police in Sweden, according to a press release issued Friday.
The present shortage of qualified police officers in Sweden is severe enough that the national Swedish Police Union is turning to their western neighbour for help.
"In view of the police shortage we have in Sweden, all ways to increase the number must be investigated," Lena Nitz, chair of the Swedish Police Union, said in the press release.
In the lead up to winning Sweden's most recent federal election, the Lofven government promised 10,000 new police jobs by 2024. Meeting that commitment is going to require significant increase of resources, both financial and human.
"If the politicians' goals of 10,000 more police employees, of which the majority are to be police officers, become reality by 2024, all the measures that can be taken must be taken," said Nitz.
While Sweden faces a shortage of officers, in Norway the situation is reversed, with over 250 recently-qualified recruits unable to find positions after passing their entrance exams.
"These are motivated and highly qualified police officers who after a supplementary education could be included in the Swedish police force," the Swedish Police Union wrote on Friday.
"In contacts with our Norwegian colleagues, they have shown interest in this, but of course this has to be investigated properly," said Nitz.
