A Week in Scotland: Police Students on Exchange

Most of us have probably seen British police on television or in the news. Meeting the officers who do this work every day, however, is something else entirely. We are fifteen Norwegian police students in our third year, all of us now writing our bachelor's theses. Our research spans radicalization, risk supporters, gang recruitment, and related topics in police work.

Last week, we spent five days at the Scottish police campus, also the national police headquarters. The experience was invaluable. Each of us was assigned a Scottish mentor who understood our individual research focus. Throughout the week, we had one-on-one sessions where we discussed our thesis work and received their input. They impressed us with their genuine openness: they were eager to teach, but equally keen to learn from us.

The lectures covered diverse topics in criminal investigation and community policing. We discovered that Scotland and Norway face many of the same challenges, but we also have some differences. Those differences sparked conversations that will shape our final theses.

What made the week memorable, though, wasn't just the formal sessions. After long days in the lecture hall, our mentors would invite us to the bar for drinks. In those moments, the professional distance dissolved. We talked about policing, about life, about what drew us to this profession. There is no better icebreaker than sharing a pint with someone who understands the weight of the work ahead.

The Scottish officers were exceptionally welcoming. They treated us not as visiting students, but as colleagues. That respect meant everything.

In a few months, our Scottish mentors will visit us in Norway. We cannot wait to show them what our country, and our police service, has to offer. This exchange has become more than an academic exercise. It is the beginning of a professional network built on mutual respect.

This story was written by Hilsen Truls.