Norway's police armament based on perceived danger, not data, professor claims

Professor Arnstein Mykletun has criticized the Norwegian government's decision to permanently arm the police, asserting that the justification rests on subjective perceptions of danger rather than measurable facts. Mykletun argues that police leaders and the Security Police (PST) have consistently portrayed Norway as increasingly dangerous, a narrative that clashes with statistics from Statistics Norway (SSB).

Mykletun points to SSB's crime statistics, which he describes as a comprehensive count rather than a sample. He highlights that homicide rates are falling, which he considers the "gold standard" for measuring crime. This contradicts the police's claim that violence is becoming more severe, as Mykletun questions how more severe violence could lead to fewer homicides. He also notes that police reports of increased burglaries are not supported by statistical data showing a significant decline.

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We must count events that are always registered. Homicide is the gold standard, and homicide rates are falling.

The professor further questions the primary argument for armament: officer safety. He cites findings from the Armament Committee indicating that police officers face the same risk of death on the job as men in other professions, with sectors like construction, agriculture, and fishing being considerably more dangerous. Mykletun also observes that individuals in acute psychological crisis are disproportionately represented among those killed by police shootings, and he is unaware of any Norwegian cases where a death resulted from the police lacking a weapon.

Mykletun concludes that the decision for permanent armament is based on a "perceived danger, not on measured conditions." He urges the Storting (parliament) to reconsider the decision, dismissing the claim that it is "hardly reversible" by pointing to instances where previously closed police service points have been reopened. He emphasizes that the armament decision was made by the Storting based on the police's "feeling" and alleged foresight, not on concrete evidence.

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The decision rests on perceived danger, not on measured conditions.