A Comparative Approach to Police Leadership

This book presents an in-depth exploration of contemporary police leadership in Norway, drawing on unique data from police leaders. Through interviews with former and current police commissioner, police chiefs, prosecutors, and law enforcement executives, it examines their backgrounds, leadership philosophies, and the evolving role of top management within the Nordic model of policing.

Situating police leadership within broader societal and organizational contexts, the book analyzes the impact of reforms, crisis, crime trends, and elite influence on decision-making at the highest levels. It offers insights into how leadership shapes daily operations, investigations, and long-term strategic development.

By synthesizing the experiences of Norway’s most senior police leaders—alongside perspectives from Swedish and Danish national police commissioners—the book provides a previously unexplored perspective on modern police leadership. Concluding with a new model for contemporary top-level police leadership, it is a valuable resource for scholars, policing professionals, and those interested in law enforcement governance.