This year's police budget is ready. The police budget is reduced by NOK 57,8 million. In addition, the government allocates 184,4 million from the budget to strengthen local police services.
– It was announced that the state budget will be tight. The police also have to deal with tightened priorities and reduced resource consumption in the public sector, comments Department Director Roger Bjerke in the Police Directorate.
Improvement requirements
Efficiency and savings totaling 242 million are demanded from the police. Of this, 57,8 million are direct cuts and 184,4 million are redeployments to other objectives within the police budget.
– The cuts and re-prioritisation will be introduced primarily through the reduction of expenditure on the Police Directorate. Also reducing spending on consultancy services, travel activities and central administration in police districts, explains Bjerke.
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In the state budget, the police receive compensation for the 1,4 percent price increase. Statistics Norway (SSB) estimates a price increase of 4,9 percent in 2023.
– Price increases beyond what is compensated from the state budget will result in the police having to set further priorities. Overall, this can result in a 177 deficiency million NOK in 2023, Bjerke continues.
More for police districts and special agencies
In addition to the pay increases, police districts will receive a budget in 2023 that is a total of 73 million more than what was allocated in 2022. Special agencies will receive an increased allocation of a total of 50 million. The Norwegian Police Directorate will receive 61 million less compared to 2022.
“The overall priority in this year's budget is to support strong and safe local communities across the country. For the police, this means working towards better local police services. It also means preparedness by prioritizing more accessible police across the country, says Bjerke.
Reception of asylum seekers from Ukraine
In addition to this financial framework, the agency also received a grant of NOK 225 million. This is a subsidy for the reception and registration of asylum seekers. As in 2022, the funds spent will be reimbursed on the basis of the expenses incurred.
Priorities for 2023
The assignment letter is a management document of the Ministry of Justice and Crisis Preparedness. In the letter, the government provided the police with some guidelines and priorities for 2023.
– This year's budget contains clear requirements regarding priorities. This budget also requires a focus on good and effective work at all levels of the agency. In the future, it will be important to prioritize between strengthening the local presence, fighting serious crime and being prepared in light of the security policy situation, concludes Bjerke.
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Source: politiet
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