Benedicte Bjørnland Will Not Seek Reappointment as Police Chief

Benedicte Bjørnland's Decision to Step Down

Benedicte Bjørnland (59) has confirmed she will not seek reappointment as police chief when her term ends in April 2025, as reported by Dagbladet and confirmed by the Police Directorate (POD).

As she nears the conclusion of her term, she expressed that it is a natural time to consider allowing others to take over, stating, "I believe this is a good time to allow new forces to take charge," said Bjørnland.

A Worthy Journey

Bjørnland joined as police chief on April 1, 2019. Prior to that, she led the Police Security Service (PST) for seven years starting in 2012. Expressing that her decision was both well-considered and emotional, she remarked, "I have been in the police force since 1993. The societal mission has always appealed to me greatly, and along with my excellent colleagues, it has been a significant driving force throughout these 30 years."

In a post published on the police intranet, Kilden, Bjørnland noted that over the past six years, the police have faced many challenges, including rising serious crime, a global pandemic, and changing security policies. Leading and developing the police during this period has been extremely rewarding. "It has been a rich journey where I have been part of a community performing vital work on behalf of society," she added.

Staying Focused Until the End

When asked about her future plans, Bjørnland assured that her role as police chief has her full attention until she departs next year. "Currently, I am fully focused on my job and have not thought much about what I want to do next. I still have more to give and several career years left, and I look forward to exploring new opportunities when the time comes," Bjørnland stated.

The search for a new police chief will be announced by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, according to the Police Directorate.