From Education to Societal Strength: Police Education and the Fight Against Organized Crime

At a time marked by growing insecurity and increasingly complex crime, the need for long-term solutions is becoming more urgent. As the police training programme at Södertörn University in Flemingsberg celebrates its tenth anniversary, attention is turning to the future. Together with SMOB, the university works with education, research and collaboration to prevent crime and build a safer society.

Recently, the police training programme at Södertörn University celebrated its tenth anniversary. Over the past decade, the programme has not only doubled in the number of students but has also developed into a vibrant environment for collaboration and research where theory and practice meet. With its location in the Stockholm metropolitan area, its socially relevant research, and close cooperation with other authorities and professions, the programme has established a clear profile.

– We have consistently had strong application numbers, and it has proven strategically important to be located in a metropolitan region in order to recruit more police officers. When Södertörn University applied for the assignment to provide police training, it was because we were convinced that a police education programme needs to be located in a major metropolitan region such as Stockholm, says Nils Ekedahl, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Södertörn University.

What role does police education play in preventive safety work?

– Preventive work by the police takes place in interaction with many other actors, and we try to connect the police training programme with other educational programmes here in Flemingsberg, such as teacher training, social work and healthcare education. When we collaborate with municipalities, schools and other actors, it becomes possible to see the whole picture and work more long-term with safety. It is not only about law and criminology, but about multiple perspectives so that we gain a better overall understanding of security in society, says Mehdi Ghazinour, Head of the Police Education Programme at Södertörn University.

From Education to National Collaboration

Södertörn University is the first in Sweden to establish a Department of Police Sciences, bringing together the Police Programme (police training), the academic subject of police science at bachelor’s and master’s level, and criminology. Initially, the focus was on educating future police officers. Today, however, the university has taken a further step to broaden its activities and involve additional actors through its work with SMOB (Sweden Against Organized Crime). SMOB is a cross-sector collaboration between public authorities, academia, business organizations and the social partners, with the aim of strengthening Sweden’s capacity to tackle organized crime.

– Södertörn University is the coordinating partner and has established the institutional foundation for the major SMOB initiative. It has been remarkable to see how the university can contribute to connecting education, research and collaboration in such an important area as the fight against organized crime, says Nils Ekedahl.

352 Billion Reasons for Collective Action

Recently, the report Black Numbers was released, showing that the criminal economy is extensive, complex and highly adaptable, generating at least SEK 352 billion per year, corresponding to 5.5 percent of Sweden’s GDP. The report’s conclusions highlight the need for a coordinated approach to tackling organized crime.

– The report shows just how extensive and adaptable the criminal economy is. The role of academia is therefore to translate this knowledge into more coordinated and effective societal action. We contribute expertise and structure to the academic work, which in turn leads to new tools and methods within each authority to address and counter organized crime, says Mehdi Ghazinour.

The Future Takes Shape in Flemingsberg

Alongside SMOB, police science and criminology at Södertörn University continue to expand. In Flemingsberg, this development has contributed to a significant broadening of the campus profile. Key judicial institutions have long been located here, such as Södertörn District Court and the Swedish Prosecution Authority, and with the police training programme and SMOB, the conditions for deeper collaboration are strengthened even further.

– The fact that so many actors within the justice system, education and research are gathered in Flemingsberg creates unique opportunities for knowledge exchange and joint development. These initiatives have also left clear physical marks on Campus Flemingsberg and point towards a future environment where education, research and practical collaboration together shape the work against organized crime, concludes Nils Ekedahl.

Photo: Henrik Peel