The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST)

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The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST)

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Personnel: 650


Mission: PST's primary responsibility is to prevent and investigate crimes that may pose a danger to national security. The service has adopted various methods and procedures in its approach to this task. Key methods include gathering information on individuals and groups that may pose a threat, preparing various analyzes and threat assessments, investigating relevant matters, and other operative countermeasures, as well as offering general advice. In addition, PST is in charge of all VIP protection domestically and abroad.

The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) is organized into four main departments, which are further divided into units. The four departments are:
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	Counterterrorism Department​
Preventive Unit​	Investigation Unit​	Operations Unit​

	Counterintelligence Department​
Analysis Unit​	Operations Unit​	Technical Surveillance Unit​

	Security and Analysis Department​
Security Adviser Unit​	Intelligence and Analysis Unit​	VIP Security Units 1 through 3​

	Support Services Department​
HR Unit​	IT Unit​	Finance Unit​

PST's main tasks and assignments are conferred by statute in Chapter IIIA of the Police Act. Section 17b of the Police Act states that the PST shall prevent and investigate violations of the Penal Code, specifically Chapters 17 (Felonies against the independence and other national interests of Norway) and Section 184 (Disturbing the peace of a foreign state), and the Security Act, unlawful intelligence activities, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the equipment, materials, and technology associated with the production or use of such weapons, violations of provisions in or pursuant to the Act relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology, etc., and the Act relating to the Implementation of Mandatory Decisions by Nordic Strategic Command, or other legislation relating to similar special actions, and sabotage and politically motivated violence or coercion, or violations of Sections 131 - 136a, 145, and 146 (Terrorism and terrorism-related acts) of the Penal Code.

Section 17c of the Police Act further states that PST's central unit shall prepare threat assessments for use by political authorities, collaborate with the police authorities and security and intelligence services of other nations and carry out vetting for use in security investigations.​