Stockholm Launches Pilot Project to Integrate Security Guards into Police Operations
Stockholm's new pilot project integrates security guards into police operations to enhance community safety and crime prevention.
Key Points
- • Pilot project in Stockholm introduces security guards to assist police.
- • Security guards are expected to focus on crime prevention and community safety.
- • The project arises from a recent law change granting security guards greater powers.
- • Critics argue that security guards lack sufficient training for their new roles.
On June 14, 2025, a groundbreaking pilot project in Stockholm commenced, introducing security guards into local police operations in a bid to enhance crime prevention and community safety. This initiative, involving areas such as Skärholmen and Södermalm, aims to allow police officers to allocate their time towards tasks requiring specialized police training while empowering security guards to focus on community engagement and crime prevention.
The integration of security guards into police operations has been facilitated by recent legislative changes that grant these guards enhanced powers, including conducting body searches for identification and detaining individuals. Hanna Larsson, a police inspector overseeing the pilot, remarked, “This project signifies a shift towards a more unified approach in maintaining public safety,” highlighting the potential for the model to be replicated in other cities across Sweden.
However, the initiative is not without its critics. Organizations like Civil Rights Defenders have raised concerns regarding the adequacy of training provided to security guards, expressing fears that they might not be equipped to handle their expanded roles safely or effectively, which could lead to violations of individuals' rights. Conversely, police officials have emphasized that while security guards will assist in operations, they will operate under the strict supervision of police personnel and will not directly perform police duties.
Andreas Sjöberg, a security guard participating in the project, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Finally, we are moving towards a collaborative approach that benefits both the police and the community.” Despite the optimism surrounding the pilot, the balance between security enhancement and civil liberties remains a contentious discussion as this project unfolds.