Law enforcement in Delkora
Law enforcement in Delkora takes place at both the federal and state level, and is carried out by a variety of different agencies. Federal law enforcement falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. Routine policing and most criminal investigations are handled by the state police (Delkoran: statspoliti). A total of 120,375 police officers are employed throughout the country, or about 125 per 100,000 people. Delkora is notable for its low rates of crime and incarceration, and high levels of public confidence in the police.
History
Policing in Delkora has historically been decentralized and handled primarily by the states. Prior to the early modern era, there was no formal police organization. Instead, law and order functions were carried out by mercenaries hired by local nobles, while small villages commonly maintained an informal association of armed watchmen (vægtere) to defend against bandits.
Starting in the 17th century, it became common for each state's jarl to appoint bailiffs (fogeder) to administer justice in individual cities and towns.
The first centralized police organization, the Norenstal Police Authority, was created by a decree of King Vallgaar III in 1812. In the mid 19th century, there was a push to consolidate policing at the state level, leading to the formation of the current state police agencies.
The formation of the Federal Police in 1943 was highly controversial at the time due to long-standing cultural mistrust of nationalized policing. Despite some initial antagonism, FPOL and the state police came to develop a close working relationship.
In the 1990s, several states began implementing community policing policies, including more frequent foot and bicycle patrols, partnerships with neighborhood organizations, and better communication approaches.
Federal agencies
Federal law enforcement is the responsibility of multiple agencies organized under different cabinet ministries. There is a strict separation between federal and state jurisdiction; federal agencies generally only deal with organized crime, terrorism, or cases involving an interstate or international element.
- Federal Police: Responsible for investigating serious and organized crime, providing security for government officials, and guarding certain critical infrastructure.
- Federal Border Guard: Provides security at ports of entry.
- Federal Prosecution Service: Conducts prosecutions for criminal cases in which the federal government has jurisdiction.
- Federal Revenue Authority: Responsible for collecting federal taxes and customs.
State police
Most routine policing in Delkora is handled by seven state police agencies, which fall under the jurisdiction of their state's minister of justice. Although each is governed by the laws of its respective state, there has been a tendency since the 1960s to standardize ranks, organization, and equipment. They vary considerably in size, with the Cybria Police employing 32,576 officers, while the Lebøvenland Police employ 3,650.
Organization
Although the exact organizational structure of each state police agency varies, each is generally organized into municipal, metropolitan, county, and regional districts; municipal and metropolitan districts are further subdivided into patrol areas encompassing individual neighborhoods. All districts are arms of the central agency and structured in a hierarchical fashion, with lower levels being subordinate to higher levels and all answering to the state ministry of justice.
Training
Prospective police officers must have at least an upper secondary education, pass a background check, and undergo an extensive psychological evaluation. After being accepted into a police academy, they must complete 2 years of studies that include legal education, unconscious bias training, mental health training, de-escalation tactics, physical conditioning, and weapons training.
Equipment
Officers are assigned a standard-issue pistol that they carry on their person; patrol supervisors may also be assigned a submachine gun that is kept locked down in their vehicle for emergencies. Besides firearms, officers are equipped with a radio, baton, pepper spray, taser, handcuffs, flashlight, and first aid equipment.
Ranks
Qualifications for senior ranks vary between states, although, in general, ranks higher than supervisory constable require a bachelor level degree in criminology, law, political science, or a related field, while ranks higher than inspector require a master level degree and are often held by experienced lawyers.
- Police Commissioner
- Subcommissioner
- Superintendent
- Assistant Superintendent
- Chief Inspector
- Inspector
- Deputy Inspector
- Commander
- Lieutenant
- Supervisory Constable
- Senior Constable
- Constable
- Probationary Constable
Local agencies
Some municipalities employ code deputies (kodeordførere) that are empowered to enforce local ordinances, respond to minor complaints, provide traffic control at public events, and enforce parking regulations. They do not have the same investigatory or arrest powers as the state police and are considered ordinary civilians under the law.
Oversight
Police in Delkora are subject to several layers of oversight. At the federal level, policing is overseen by the Ministry of Justice, which collects yearly statistics on police use of force, types of crimes prosecuted, and demographics of people arrested. The Ministry has the power to order changes to state police agency policies when it determines they violate civil rights law or are otherwise discriminatory. All police shootings are automatically investigated by the Federal Police.
Each state maintains a Police Review Board that investigates wrongdoing by police officers and conducts inquiries into public complaints. These boards are separate from the agency they oversee and composed of members appointed by the state government for a single non-renewable term. Members must be experienced lawyers and may not have a background in law enforcement. These boards have a high degree of political independence akin to a court. They have considerable power, including the authority to issue subpoenas, fire personnel, and refer cases for prosecution.
Police firearm use
Police shootings of civilians in Delkora are extremely rare. Police are subject to strict use of force policies, only being permitted to use deadly force to prevent severe bodily injury or death to themselves or others, and only after employing a warning shot if possible. The Ministry of Justice compiles yearly statistics on police firearm use.
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rounds discharged | 61 | 32 | 76 | 56 | 39 | 69 | 38 | 42 |
| Number of injuries | 12 | 6 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Number of deaths | 7 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Prisons
Delkoran prisons are administered by the states. With a total prison population of 32,624, Delkora has one of the lowest incarceration rates in Eracura, at 35 per 100,000 people. Delkoran prisons focus primarily on rehabilitation, and are known for their humane conditions. Prisoners are able to seek education, skills training, and voluntary employment. All have access to comprehensive health services, including mental healthcare. Most nonviolent prisoners are housed in minimum security open prisons unless considered a flight risk.
Under Delkoran penal law, prisoners are only restricted in their freedom of movement while incarcerated, and are considered to otherwise retain all the rights and responsibilities of ordinary citizens, including the right to vote. Health, education, and other social services available to prisoners are provided through the Delkoran welfare state and local community organizations rather than prison staff.
Life imprisonment as a determinate sentence has been abolished, although extremely dangerous persons can be sentenced to preventive detention. The maximum determinate sentence possible under the law is 25 years, although the average sentence is just 9 months. Prisoners can often be released on parole after serving 25 to 50 percent of their sentence. The death penalty was abolished in 1973.
Delkora has a very low recidivism rate, with just 15% of convicts committing another offense within 3 years of release.