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"The main reason I chose to become a police officer is because we lack Sami-speaking police. I am from Kautokeino myself, and we know that trust between the Sami and the authorities is low. Having Sami-speaking police who can help when needed is crucial for building trust. You might become a bridge builder by being Sami and working as a police officer." says Elle.
Elle graduated from the Police Academy in 2022. She studied in Oslo but completed her practice year in Tromsø. Before she started working in Kautokeino, she worked in Storslett in Troms.
Although Elle hasn't worked in Kautokeino for long, she hopes that trust in the police has increased and that the local population is satisfied with the police presence. The threshold for contacting the police has become somewhat lower, she says.
"It probably becomes easier to make contact when you meet someone who understands the culture, society, history, geography, and speaks the language.
Closer to the local community"
The closeness to the local community is one of the things that makes working as a police officer in Finnmark unique, Elle believes.
"You become very visible. In a larger city, you are probably more anonymous. There is a completely different closeness to those who live in the village, and it becomes easier to build trust. People get to know you, and you become recognized. That is probably one of the nicest things I know about working in Kautokeino and Storslett. You probably get more done than in larger places."
It is not exactly surprising that the workday as a police officer is quite varied. But for those who work in smaller places, you often work in what is called a combination service, Elle explains.
"Then you do everything - both patrol, preventive work, and investigation. But it of course depends on what the needs are and what prioritized tasks you have. We do a lot of investigation and various criminal cases. But we also spend time visiting schools and kindergartens and giving lectures", she adds:
"You encounter a lot of different things. In some cases, you might be alone in situations where you are newly graduated and don't have much experience. You don't always get much assistance, and you just have to handle it. It means you learn a lot and have a steep learning curve. You develop yourselves in many ways."
Do you have a tip for those considering applying to Politihøgskolen or who might already be students?
"Throw yourself into things and dare to fail. It's better to fail at school than out in the field. And seek practice in a different part of the country than where you live."