The Progress Party (FRP) promised 1,000 new police positions before the year was out, but the police districts say they cannot afford to fill these positions.
Justice Minister Anders Anundsen has estimated that 90 percent of the 1,000 additional jobs that were promised, are filled. Nevertheless, the Police Directorate counting from the first four months say that there are only 500 more police employees now compared to in 2013.
This is because districts lack funds, says the newspaper Dagbladet.
Several police districts around the country avoid filling tens of positions because they believe they cannot afford it.
– It is directly contradictory that Anundsen says there have been so many more police officers, while we hear reports every week from police districts who say it has not improved, but that it is worse. Now we have confirmed that the image he is trying to create is not correct, says the Centre Party Jenny Klinge.
The Progress Party believes, however, they have kept their word.
– I assume that the aspirations of the government for the growth in the number of new positions is monitored by the Police Directorate, and then by the individual police chief, said Mr Ove Vanebo.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
