Posted on 09/02/2005 4:11:31 AM PDT by Kurt_Hectic
Norway shoots least
A major survey of police weapon use in the Nordic region shows that Norway is the country where shots are most seldom fired, and that access to weapons means more shooting.
The survey shows that, adjusted for population, shots are fired 13 times as often as in Norway and the number killed is ten times higher.
In dangerous situations Norwegian police pull back, request arms and wait for reinforcements. Swedish police are far more often placed in self-defense situations where shots are fired under extreme stress and from close range. This results in one out of three policemen injured by gunfire in Sweden being hit by friendly fire.
Knutsson concludes that Norway's procedure is reasonable and should continue.
An MMI survey of Norwegian police last year found that over half favored being permanently armed, but at the national congress of police unions there was a unanimous vote to remain unarmed.
"This survey shows an enormous difference between countries. True, there are still some difference in the crime picture between these countries, but this is nowhere near large enough to explain such a gap," said Arne Johannesen, head of the Federation of Police Unions.
"If we are to preserve this statistic we must put more into training on how one solves situations without weapons, because this is demanding. It needs more personnel and, not least, it requires more tactical and strategic thinking," Johannesen said.
Nordic police weapons SWEDEN: No Nordic nation shoots or kills more often. Armed since 1965, with Sig Sauer 9mm pistol and MP-5 machine pistol and expanding ammunition.
FINLAND: The Finns have greatly reduced weapon use in recent years. Armed since 1918. Use Glock 9mm pistol, Smith & Wesson 38 revolver, MP-5 machine pistol and expanding ammunition. Shotgun access.
DENMARK: Armed since 1965 after four officers killed in one incident. Use H&K 9mm pistol, MP-5 machine pistol and non-expanding ammunition.
NORWAY: The only nation with unarmed police. Police arm on orders of the police commissioner, and then with S&W 38 revolver or MP-5 machine pistol, and non-expanding ammunition. Strong movement to arm permanently, but police leadership believe arming will lead to dangerous situations more often.
Related stories: Support for heavily armed police - 07.04.2004 Professor Johannes Knutsson at the Police Academy said the report confirms what police leadership have always maintained, that easier access to weapons means more shooting.
Aftenposten's Norwegian reporter Kjetil Kolsrud Aftenposten English Web Desk Jonathan Tisdall
No, with the high suicide rates in Sweden and Norway, the losers take THEMSELVES out of the gene pool before the cops have to. Also, with the fat checks coming out of the welfare nanny state, WHY commit a crime? Easier to stay at home, stay drunk, watch tv.
I don't understand why they shoot least. What has least ever done to them?
ISTR that No didn't shoot enough at an invader and got Quisling in return.
Be safe, go armed.
Funny that the article doesn't seem to mention how many police are injured, wounded or killed because they are not armed.
I used to wonder the same thing about Will ("Fire at Will")
True better that they commit suicide than kill a lot of innocent people
Because its always never anybody getting killed. The homicide rate was around 35 for the whole country a few years ago. I dont know what its now, but probably around that number.
Close to no cops gets killed.
Bump, and cool photo!
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