Since 2015, the total number of police officers has increased nationally, but when it comes to employees in the external service, the number has decreased.

At the end of 2019, the figure was 9,049 compared to 9,226 in 2015, writes Polistidningen.

The proportion of police employees working in the external service has also gradually decreased.

Important with a better working environment and conditions

The police union's chairman Lena Nitz believes that one explanation is that police officers in external service have low salaries and a small opportunity for salary development.

Another explanation may be that the work environment has become increasingly pressured.

- The fewer we are, the tougher it will be for those who remain, so it is a very important issue.

That is why it is incredibly important that we get a better working environment and better working conditions and working hours, says Nitz in an interview with Swedish Radio Ekot.

Minister of the Interior Mikael Damberg (S) refers to this year's regulatory letter in which it was specified that the Police Authority shall report measures to ensure "a long-term and clear police presence throughout the country".

- It is quite difficult to calculate this and it is easy to put staff categories in different columns.

My starting point is that more police employees should be noticed, says Damberg to TT.

Increased number of municipal police

The Moderates' legal policy spokesman Johan Forssell has also reacted to the figures and says that they are "alarming".

He sees the development as a sign that the police and the government have failed.

The police authority, however, downplays the development and says that the figure is "somewhat misleading".

- But we are well aware that we need more people in external service, says Mattias Dejke, national coordinator for growth at the Police Authority to TT.

He also points out that the number of police officers who worked in the external service during the month of August is the highest since 2015 and that the number of municipal police officers has almost tripled.