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.

According to listings on Plex, which also carries the series, the first season comprises two episodes. The current status of the series—whether additional seasons are planned or confirmed—remains to be determined as of the latest available information. The fact that *Politi i forfald* is available on multiple platforms suggests the documentary has attracted sufficient audience interest to warrant distribution beyond discovery+'s primary audience.

For international viewers unfamiliar with Denmark's police structure, the series offers rare access to internal critiques of a Scandinavian law enforcement system often viewed externally as a model of efficiency and fairness. The willingness of serving officers and their former colleagues to participate in such a critical examination also suggests significant institutional morale issues that may extend beyond isolated complaints.

The documentary is conducted entirely in Danish, reflecting its origin as a domestic investigation into local concerns. However, its availability on platforms like Plex indicates a broader interest in understanding how even well-resourced European police forces can face systemic challenges.

Whether *Politi i forfald* catalyzes policy changes, resource reallocation, or structural reforms within Danish policing remains to be seen. What is clear is that the series has succeeded in bringing previously internal concerns into the public conversation—a prerequisite for any meaningful institutional change.

**Sources:** - https://www.kriminyt.dk/da/politi-i-forfald-graver-i-dansk-politis-svigt - https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/72086/politi-i-forfald - https://watch.plex.tv/show/politi-i-forfald-1