Dignitaries

Section 17 d) of the Norwegian Police Act defines dignitaries as members of the Royal Family, Parliament and Government and Supreme Court judges, as well as corresponding representatives from other countries. Other public figures can be included in PST’s preventive activities after a prior specific assessment.

Threat assessments

PST compiled a large number of threat assessments during 2009 in connection with various events in Norway, visits from foreign dignitaries to Norway, several foreign diplomatic missions in the country, and specific threats against dignitaries. A number of threat assessments were also drawn up for dignitaries’ visits to high-risk areas and for particular incidents abroad. Such assessments are compiled in cooperation with the Intelligence Service within the framework of the Joint Analysis Unit. In addition, PST also has a close cooperation with the National Police Directorate on national assessments and recommendations for protection measures.

Parliamentary elections 2009

In connection with the election campaign and the subsequent parliamentary election in 2009, a successful cooperation was established with the largest political parties. The parties’ election campaign programmes and the travel programmes for the most important politicians were reported to PST and forwarded to the relevant police districts. The election campaign and the actual election were conducted without serious incidents.

Safety talks

PST and the police offer routine safety talks to the Prime Minister, parliamentary party leaders, members of the Government and the President of the Sami parliament. Other public figures will also be offered such interviews in the event of specific threats or other safety-related incidents. All relevant facts related to safety are discussed in these talks, and information is given on the protection measures PST recommends to be put in place if required.

Security briefings

Security briefings are offered to dignitaries who are to travel to certain high-risk areas abroad. As a rule, both the dignitary in question and the delegation are present at the briefings. In cases where other parties are to accompany the dignitary on the trip, for example the media, these parties are also invited to attend the briefing.

Dignitary protection service

PST’s dignitary protection service has the national responsibility for bodyguard activities in Norway for Norwegian and foreign dignitaries, with the exception of the Royal Family. The bodyguards also accompany some Norwegian dignitaries on trips abroad. In 2009 the dignitary protection service in PST permanently accompanied three subjects, and a number of time-limited protection assignments were also carried out. The dignitary protection service also assists other PST units when protection or support is required for conducting assignments.

Following the terrorist incident at Kabul Serena Hotel in January 2008, further attention was directed towards safety when Norwegian dignitaries visit foreign countries, particularly trips to areas of conflict. In recent years several of PST’s assignments have been in areas of conflict, including to countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Sudan. These are examples of areas that have a high threat level and a challenging infrastructure that require detailed planning prior to the trip. Trips to areas of conflict also require more bodyguards than trips to areas with a lower threat level. During 2009 PST has been allocated extra resources in the form of staff and equipment in order to be better equipped for demanding assignments. An increasing number of assignments take place in countries and areas of conflict where there is considerable risk. There is little to suggest that this type of assignment will become less common in the years ahead. At the same time it is highly unlikely that the threat situation will change in a positive direction in the immediate future, which indicates that the number of demanding protection assignments will increase.

PST’s dignitary protection service safeguards foreign dignitaries who visit Norway for national and international events. The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize on 10 December 2009 to USA’s President Barack Obama is an example of this type of bodyguard assignment in 2009. Oslo Police District was given the main task of ensuring the safety of the arrangement in close cooperation with both PST and the Secret Service, which has the prime responsibility for the safety of the president of the USA.