Norwegian Police Security Service

Infobox Company
company_name = Norwegian Police Security Service
company_
company_type = Government agency
foundation = 1937
location = Oslo, Norway
key_people = Jørn Holme (Director)
area_served = Norway
industry = Police force
products =
revenue =
operating_income =
net_income =
num_employees = (2007)
parent = Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police
subsid =
homepage =
footnotes =

The Norwegian Police Security Service ( _no. Politiets sikkerhetstjeneste, "PST") is the security agency of Norway, somewhat comparable to the British MI5. The agency was previously known as "POT" ("Politiets Overvåkningstjeneste" or Police Surveillance Agency), the name change was dictated by Stortinget (parliament) on June 2, 2001. The service was established in 1936 or 1937.

The agency is responsible for monitoring and securing the interior security in Norway. Known operational departments include "counterintelligence unit", "counterterrorism unit", "counterproliferation and organized crime unit", "counterextremism unit", "investigation unit", "surveillance unit", "technology unit", "security analysis unit" and "foreign citizens unit". In addition, PST is in charge of all VIP protection exept for the royal family, which has its own independent escort service.

PST is unlike all ordinary police services not a part of the National Police Directorate but like Økokrim and several other special police units placed directly under the Ministry of Justice and the Police. Also, the agency is under the direct scrutiny of the parliamentary "Standing Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs' Special Unit For Oversight of Intelligence, Surveillance and Security Agencies", after it conducted unlawful political surveillance on national citizens during the Cold War.

The organization consists of "Den Sentrale Enhet" (central unit) that is located in Nydalen, Oslo, as well as individual police officers in all the police regions.

The organization is currently headed by the former Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice, Jørn Holme.

External links

* http://www.pst.politiet.no
* http://www.pst.politiet.no/default____162.aspx (english version)
* [http://www.lovdata.no/all/nl-19950203-007.html Law on oversight of Intelligence, Surveillance and Security Agencies (Norwegian)]