Sweden has received 2,202 more uniformed police officers since 2015, according to the police's annual report. However, only 169 of them are in Stockholm. At the same time as the police force has grown by up to 40 percent in some regions, the capital region is showing a modest increase of seven percent.
The reasons are several, according to the regional police chief.
It is both expensive to live and difficult to find a place to live in Stockholm. Therefore, the police have started a collaboration with property owners to secure housing for newly arrived police officers, trainees, and students.
In the current situation, we have mediated contacts and helped 270 police officers, trainees, and students to housing. It is, after all, a prerequisite for being able to have a social life and live, says Mattias Andersson.
Private sector attracts
In Stockholm, the police region is also competing with many other employers. National police departments and other authorities are recruiting from the Stockholm police. At the same time, banks, insurance companies, and security companies are luring many with police competence to the private sector.
Previously, it was also difficult to fill the places on the police training programs in the Stockholm area, but after a series of measures, there has been a clear improvement, notes Andersson.
Which is incredibly gratifying. We have special initiatives where we meet our citizens and try to get them interested in police training.
For a few years now, the police have also been paying out an additional 2,000 kronor per month to the lowest-paid police officers in Stockholm. At the same time, the situation is tough there, with an ongoing wave of violence and major police events.
We need to become more who share the burden. I usually express it as we need to become more in slightly less sweaty shirts, says the police chief.
Union: It's about salaries
Tina Gustafsson, who is a member of the Police Association in Stockholm, welcomes the initiatives, but simultaneously demands greater investments if colleagues are to become more.
It's about salaries, among other things. The Stockholm supplement works, but maybe more is needed, she says.
The working conditions also pose problems for many, especially for those with families.
Normal life needs to work alongside the police profession. In Stockholm, it's a big strain for police officers working in external service. There are many standby lists and a lot of overtime.
