Danish Police Under Fire in New Documentary Series

A damning new documentary series titled *Politi i forfald* ("Police in Decline") launched on discovery+ on October 15, 2023, shining a light on systemic problems plaguing Denmark's law enforcement agencies.

The series, which airs weekly on Tuesdays with episodes running approximately 55 minutes each, centers on allegations that Denmark's police force is drowning in administrative work at the expense of genuine criminal investigation. Through interviews with serving and former officers, the documentary builds a case that serious violent crimes are being sidelined or abandoned altogether due to resource constraints and bureaucratic inefficiency.

Former police officer René Borg emerges as a central figure in the investigation, lending credibility to the allegations through his firsthand experience within the system. Alongside Borg, the series features interviews with current officers Jacob Høgh Andreasen and Poul Olsen, who corroborate concerns about how the police are spending their time and resources. The documentary also includes perspectives from senior figures in Denmark's law enforcement hierarchy, including Chief Police Inspector Knud Stadsgaard, as well as Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard, whose portfolio directly oversees the police system.

The core argument presented throughout the series is stark: Denmark's officers are consumed by tasks deemed "meaningless" by those interviewed, leaving insufficient capacity to properly investigate and pursue serious criminal cases. This misallocation of resources allegedly results in cases being dropped without thorough investigation—a claim that strikes at the heart of public safety and justice system integrity.

The documentary's timing is significant. Public confidence in police effectiveness depends on demonstrable progress in serious crime investigations. A series of this nature, broadcast to a wide audience, raises uncomfortable questions about whether Denmark's policing model requires fundamental restructuring or merely resource reallocation.