Kulturen i en mannsdominert operativ avdeling

Authors

  • Nina Jon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/ntfk.v112i3.160504

Keywords:

Police culture, gender, policing, politikultur, kjønn, Utrykningsenhet (UEH)

Abstract

Abstract
A new specialised unit, “Echo”, established within the Oslo Police District (OPD), is staffed by specially trained, predominantly male
operational officers. Based on 213 hours of observation and 26 semi-structured qualitative interviews, this article explores the significance of Echo’s establishment and the culture that characterises the unit. During its creation, there were clear concerns within the OPD leadership that a negative culture might develop within Echo. One concern was that this predominantly male unit would foster a culture of masculinity that excluded women. Another was that a division might emerge between specialised and non-specialised officers resulting in an “A and B police force”, while a further concern was that Echo might become a “mini-SWAT” team focusing on training for rare but serious events such as terrorism and organised crime instead of patrolling and serving the city’s day-to-day needs. At a time when gender equality in Norway has improved and the roles of both women and men have changed considerably, policing culture has also undergone a transformation. Together with Echo’s leadership, characterised by a strong commitment to humility, inclusiveness and psychological safety, the unit has avoided the pitfalls of a harmful culture that the Oslo Police District’s executive leadership feared when the unit was first established.

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Published

2025-10-23

How to Cite

Jon, N. (2025). Kulturen i en mannsdominert operativ avdeling. Nordisk Tidsskrift for Kriminalvidenskab, 112(3), 216–240. https://doi.org/10.7146/ntfk.v112i3.160504