Politiets sikkerhetstjeneste

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

It can also be thought of as being a slight mix between the US Secret Service and the NSA, as a part of it forms Den Kongelige Politieskorte, or The Royal Police Escort, which provides security for the Norwegian Royal Family when they are outside the royal residences.

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 agency is responsible for the domestic security intelligence 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.

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.

[edit] External links

• http://www.pst.politiet.no
• Law on oversight of Intelligence, Surveillance and Security Agencies (Norwegian)

Norwegian Security Services
Police Security Agency	Its mission is to detect and identify potential national security threats, analyse their presumed intentions and capabilities, and actively hinder its work.
National Security Authority	Its mission is to detect and identify objects of strategic national interest, and reduce their vulnerability.
National Intelligence Service	Its mission is to collect, analyse and present information from agents and foreign sources that can assist the National Security Authority and the Police Security Agency in achieving their objectives.