The Swedish Security Service (Säkerhetspolisen) is concerned with preventing and detecting offences against national security, fighting terrorism and protecting the central Swedish Government. The purpose of their activities is to protect the democratic system, the rights and freedoms of citizens and national security.

 

 

Based in Stockholm, the Swedish Security Service has 5 regional offices where approximately 10 per cent of the 900 staff is placed.Their main areas of activity includes counter-espionage, counter-terrorism, protection of the Constitution, protective security, which involves advice to and inspection of companies and government agencies, in the interest of protecting information of importance to national security and of preventing terrorism. They are also concerned with Dignitary protection, which refers to security and guarding services for the central Government, the Royal Family and foreign diplomatic representatives The Swedish Security Service also participates in national and international non-proliferation efforts. Non-proliferation refers to measures taken to prevent the proliferation, acquisition and production of weapons of mass destruction.

 
A summary of the Swedish Security Service`s History

- from military police bureau to government agency
The Swedish Security Service, in its present form, was founded on 1 October 1989. In addition to its existing remit - the prevention and detection of offences against national security - the Security Service was also given the formal responsibility for security and guarding services relating to the central Government and during state visits and similar events.
1914 - 1918: The formation of a Swedish security service

The first Swedish security service was formed in the summer of 1914. For the first time, a special police force was to investigate offences against national security. Offences against national security were previously investigated by the Detective Police in Stockholm. This force was placed under the General Staff (the predecessor of the Office of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces).
 
1918 - 1938: The Police took over and focused on controls in respect of aliens

After WW1, the so-called Police Bureau was dissolved. The responsibility for the prevention and detection of offences against national security was placed with the Stockholm Police Force, and priority was given to controls of aliens. In 1932, this task was transferred to the State Police, where the focus was on controls of Nazis and communists.
 
1938 - 1946: The General Security Service

Faced with the threat of the looming war, work began on the creation of a secret police security service in 1937. Its organisation and staffing were agreed upon on 10 June 1938, but it was not until the German occupation of Norway and Denmark that the organisation was given financial resources and personnel. The activities focused mainly on the registration of suspected collaborators sympathizing with the warring parties. Approximately 200,000 letters per week were checked and a total of some 11 million phone calls were intercepted while the war was still on.
 
1946 - 1964: The security service becomes permanent, due to the Cold War

After WW2, the Swedish security service suffered severe cutbacks. Its activities were again placed under the State Police. The organisation was intended to be temporary, as it was thought that there would be no need for a security service in the new Europe. However, due to the onset of the Cold War in the late 1940s, the organisation became permanent.
 
1965 - 1989: A unit under the National Police Board

The Police Service became national in 1965. From that point in time, up until the foundation of the Swedish Security Service, the Security Department of the National Police Board was responsible for the protection of national security.