Far behind target: Only 170 new officers hired

The head of the Danish Police Union, Heino Kegel, criticizes the failure to meet the goal of hiring 450 additional police officers as stipulated by the police agreement. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard acknowledges that only 170 new officers have been onboarded since the deal in late 2020, citing a competitive labor market and a shortage of qualified applicants. Hummelgaard takes the responsibility very seriously and remains open to ideas, including paying salaries during the theoretical part of police training, a solution supported by Kegel. At the end of March, the Danish police force was short of over 260 officers, while additional duties such as border control and security tasks have put further strain on the force. Political spokespeople echo the concern, with parties involved in the agreement suggesting improvements to police education. The initial financial framework for the police and prosecution service covered 2021-2023 and has been extended to 2024.