Orø seeks a new local sheriff after 44 years

Orø is looking for a new parish constable after Henrik Iversen announced he will retire at the New Year, DR reports. He has held the post on the Danish island for nearly 44 years.

The role offers five to 10 hours of work a month and a salary of 986 kroner before tax. The parish constable is a local point of contact for police, with a badge and a role in handling minor conflicts and other police tasks before officers can reach the island.

“It can be a disturbance at home where the parish constable needs to go out and calm the parties,” said Lene Sveigaard, a deputy police inspector with Mid- and West Zealand Police. The constable may also respond to concerns about drink-driving, including by taking the keys from someone about to drive.

Iversen, who will turn 80 next year, said it was time to step down. During his time in the role, he has dealt with neighbour disputes, traffic accidents, people who have fallen into the water and people found dead.

He said local knowledge had often been useful. In one case, after an island resident reported a burglary, another caller told him a car was speeding towards the harbour. Iversen turned around, went to the ferry and identified the driver. He called police in Holbæk, who were waiting to arrest the man when the ferry arrived.

Police are seeking someone who is respected locally, calm, perceptive and able to work with a wide range of people, Sveigaard said. Most of Orø’s roughly 1,000 permanent residents know Iversen, which he said can help when he is called to calm a dispute.

Parish constables have served as a form of police authority since 1791. The role was formally abolished after Denmark’s 1973 municipal reform, but around 14 remain on small islands, including Orø, Sejrø, Fejø, Femø and Askø.

Iversen’s advice to his successor is to speak calmly with everyone and find out what the problem is.