Iceland plans 200-person police expansion and district cuts

Iceland’s police force is set to grow by 200 people in the coming years as the country prepares to reduce its police districts from nine to three, national police commissioner Halla Bergþóra Björnsdóttir told mbl.is.

Björnsdóttir, who took up the national commissioner role this spring after years as chief of police in the capital region, discussed the changes alongside a new five-year policing plan. She said Iceland faces a changing, multilayered threat picture in which the lines between internal and external security are blurred.

She said the police have a key role in responding to those threats and carry primary responsibility for the country’s security. That requires clear priorities, effective organisation and legislation that supports police work, she said.

The plan is organised around three broad goals: a trusted police force, a safe society, and professional and forward-looking policing. It emphasises adapting police services to social change, maintaining police visibility and providing reliable information.

Björnsdóttir also highlighted the importance of sound decision-making and data analysis, as well as fair proceedings and handling cases within reasonable timeframes without compromising their quality.

Public trust in the police, civil protection and resilience are also central to community safety, she said. Gender-based violence remains a challenge, while cybercrime and cybersecurity have grown sharply in recent years and now pose a continuing threat.