# Police in Norway: role, trust and how to get help

Police in Norway protect you and help in everyday life. Learn when to call 112 and 02800, what rights you have, and why you can trust the police.

Canonical: https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/politiet-i-norge
Language: en
Publisher: SamfunnPrep
Author: Hlib Suslov
Published: 2026-07-09T13:58:23.126+00:00
Modified: 2026-10-03T22:08:37.631806+00:00
AI use policy: https://samfunnprep.no/ai-policy.txt

## Key takeaways

- Call 112 for emergencies, 02800 otherwise Use 112 when it's urgent or a crime is happening now. Use 02800 for questions and cases that are not emergencies.
- You have rights when dealing with the police You have the right to know why you are stopped, the right to an interpreter, the right to a lawyer and the right to respectful treatment. It is free to report a crime.
- You can trust the police in Norway Police are independent and free from corruption, and trust is high. The Special Unit for Police Cases investigates the police if they do something wrong.

Police in Norway are there to protect you. Call 112 in emergencies and 02800 when it's not urgent. Police are independent, free from corruption and have high trust. You have rights, and you can safely ask for help.

## What does the police in Norway do?

Police in Norway are meant to prevent crime, protect people and investigate law violations. **Police** are the state's civilian public order authority. The goal is that you should be safe where you live and move around.

Each police district has an operations center open 24/7. It receives emergency calls and sends patrols where needed. Police also prevent crime by being visible, talking to young people and working with schools and communities.

Police do more than stop crime. They also help with many civilian tasks in everyday life.

At the police, you can, among other things:

- apply for **passport** and national **ID card**
- deliver and collect **lost and found** (things you have lost or found)
- report a **concern** for someone
- get help with some **immigration and residence matters**
- get help when you want to [report a crime to the police](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/anmelde-til-politiet-norge)

The Police Directorate oversees the police nationally. **The Police Directorate** is the top leadership of the police, under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

## Which number do you call? 112 or 02800

Call 112 when it's urgent and 02800 when it's not acute. These are the two most important numbers for the police in Norway.

Use **112** for emergency danger to life and health, or when a crime is happening right now. Use **02800** for questions, tips and matters that are not urgent. The central desk 02800 is open 24/7.

For health there are separate numbers. Call 113 for acute illness and 116117 for urgent care when it's not acute.

| Situation | Call |
| --- | --- |
| Emergency danger, crime in progress | 112 |
| Police, not urgent (tips, questions, theft that has happened) | 02800 |
| Acute illness, ambulance | 113 |
| Urgent care, not acute health | 116117 |

If you are deaf or have speech difficulties, you can send Emergency SMS to 112. You can find more in our guide to [emergency help and emergency numbers](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/akutt-hjelp-i-norge).

## Do Norwegian police carry weapons?

Norwegian police did not carry firearms on their body for a long time. From 1 July 2025, police carry weapons in regular duty. This is called general arming.

But in many situations there is still **unarmed police**. For example when meeting with children, on school visits and in preventive work.

Using weapons and force is strictly regulated by law. Police should use as little force as possible, and only when necessary. They must be able to explain and be accountable for the force they use. The Government has proposed to write the general arming into the Police Act.

You don't need to be afraid of Norwegian police. They are there to help you, not to scare you.

## How do you report and contact the police?

You can report a crime online or by visiting a police station. It is free to report.

On politiet.no you can report many cases digitally, 24/7. You can also call 02800 or visit a police station.

When you have reported, you get a **case number**. The police assess the case and investigate if there is grounds. You can ask what happens with your case. For serious crimes you may be entitled to a free **legal counsel**.

Have you been **scammed**? See how to [report fraud](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/bankid-svindel-norge). Reporting helps the police stop criminals.

## Your rights when dealing with the police

You have clear rights when you are in contact with the police. They apply to everyone in Norway.

- You have the right to know **why** the police stop or arrest you.
- You have the right to **interpreter** if you don't speak Norwegian.
- You have the right to **lawyer** if you are charged or arrested.
- You have the right to be treated with **respect**.

Being stopped or asked for identification doesn't mean you are suspected. Police can ask who you are. Respond calmly and feel free to ask why they are stopping you.

Police in Norway are independent and free from corruption. You should never pay a police officer for help. Offering money is illegal.

This is part of the **rule of law**. Learn more about [the courts and rule of law](https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/rettsstat-og-domstolene-norge).

## Who watches the police?

The Special Unit for Police Cases investigates the police. **The Special Unit for Police Cases** is an independent body outside the police.

If you believe a police officer has done something illegal, you can report it to the Special Unit. They also automatically investigate if someone dies or is seriously injured in contact with the police.

This means that no one is above the law—not even the police themselves.

## Why you can trust the police

Many newcomers to Norway have bad experiences with police from their home country. In Norway, the picture is different.

Trust is high. In the Police's public survey 2025, 73 percent said they have very or quite high trust in the police. It is the highest level since 2022. More than before feel that the police come when it's urgent, are available and treat everyone fairly.

You can contact the police even if you are unsure about your residence status. If you are in danger or a victim of a crime, you should get help. If you are dissatisfied with how the police treated you, you can complain. Police cannot be bought and you lose nothing by asking for help.

Police in Norway serve the people, not a single leader or a party. SamfunnPrep explains how Norwegian society works, step by step. Knowledge about police, rights and the rule of law is part of the Samfunnskunnskapsprøven, and with SamfunnPrep you practice exactly this.

Ready to practice? [Try SamfunnPrep free](https://samfunnprep.no/register).

## FAQ

### Which number do I call the police in Norway?

Call 112 for emergency danger or when a crime is happening now. Call 02800 when it's not urgent, for example questions, tips or a theft that has happened. The central desk 02800 is open 24/7.

### Is Norwegian police armed?

From 1 July 2025, police carry weapons in regular duty. But they are often unarmed when meeting with children and in preventive work. Use of force is strictly regulated by law.

### Does it cost money to report to the police?

No. It is free to report. You can report online on politiet.no or by visiting a police station.

### What rights do I have when dealing with the police?

You have the right to know why you are being stopped, the right to an interpreter if you don't speak Norwegian, the right to a lawyer if you are charged, and the right to be treated with respect.

### Who investigates the police if they do something wrong?

The Special Unit for Police Cases investigates the police. It is an independent body outside the police. You can report to them if a police officer has done something illegal.

## Sources

- [Kontakt politiet](https://www.politiet.no/kontakt-politiet)
- [Regjeringen vil lovfeste generell bevæpning av politiet](https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/regjeringen-vil-lovfeste-generell-bevapning-av-politiet/id3155024/)
- [Spesialenheten for politisaker](https://snl.no/Spesialenheten_for_politisaker)
- [Politiets innbyggerundersøkelse 2025](https://www.politiet.no/globalassets/tall-og-fakta/innbyggerundersokelsen/2025/innbyggerundersokelsen-2025.pdf)

Citation: Hlib Suslov, "Police in Norway: role, trust and how to get help", SamfunnPrep, 2026-07-09T13:58:23.126+00:00, https://samfunnprep.no/en/articles/politiet-i-norge