The regulations of police activities are found in different acts of which the comparatively new Act on Police Activities from 2004 and The Administration of Justice Act originally dating back to 1916 are central.

The Act on Police Activities (Lov om politiets virksomhed) No 444 of 9 June 2004 lays down the purpose (section 1 – to work for safety, security, peace and order in society through preventive, assisting and enforcing activity) and assignments (section 2) of the police.

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The regulations of police activities are found in different acts of which the comparatively new Act on Police Activities from 2004 and The Administration of Justice Act originally dating back to 1916 are central.

The Act on Police Activities (Lov om politiets virksomhed) No 444 of 9 June 2004 lays down the purpose (section 1 – to work for safety, security, peace and order in society through preventive, assisting and enforcing activity) and assignments (section 2) of the police. Police intervention, inter alia concerning public order, public assemblies (cf. Constitution section 79), and assistance to diseased and helpless, is regulated in Chapter 3 (sections 3-13). The use of power by the police, for instance the use of firearms, dogs and gas, is regulated in Chapter 4 (sections 14-21).

The Constitution section 71 stipulates that the personal liberty is inviolable. Reference is made especially to section 71 (3) which stipulates that any person taken into custody shall be brought before a judge within 24 hours ( Grundlovsforhør ) .

The Administration of Justice Act (Retsplejeloven) Consolidation Act No 1261 of 23 October 2007 is likewise of great importance to police activities. The act is extensive and also regulates the Courts and civil proceedings. Central provisions for the police are in specific sections 742-900 on the investigative work etc. of the Police. This includes provisions on inter alia interrogations (including video interrogation of children), custody (including in isolation), interference with correspondence etc. (cf. Constitution section 72), searches and seizures,

Other important regulation is found in The Administration of Justice Act sections 95-107 (The Prosecution), sections 108-117 (The Police Authorities), sections 718-741 d (General provisions on Criminal proceedings), and sections 1018 a - 1021 h (compensation, complaints etc.).

On 1 January 2007, a reform of the Danish police was initiated. It meant that 54 police districts were transformed into the present 12 districts.

Posted: March 2008

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