POLITIDIREKTORATET

Their core work

Politidirektoratet is the Norwegian National Police Directorate, the central authority overseeing police operations across Norway. In the H2020 context, they contribute operational law enforcement expertise to EU security research — particularly in digital forensics, smartphone data extraction, identity document fraud detection, and on-site forensic evidence analysis. Their role is that of an end-user agency, providing real-world requirements, testing environments, and practitioner feedback to consortia developing tools for European police forces.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their earliest involvement (BROADMAP, 2016-2017) concerned broadband communication interoperability for public safety — a policy-mapping exercise where they participated as a third party. From 2020 onward, all three projects shifted sharply toward hands-on forensic and security technology: encrypted phone extraction (EXFILES), crime scene forensics (RISEN), and biometric fraud detection (iMARS). The trajectory shows a clear move from communication infrastructure policy toward operational forensic technology adoption.

Politidirektoratet is deepening its engagement with applied forensic technologies — particularly around encrypted devices and biometric fraud — positioning them as a strong end-user partner for security projects requiring real police operational input.

How they like to work

Politidirektoratet always participates as a partner or third party — never as a coordinator, which is typical for a national police authority contributing operational expertise rather than leading research. With 72 unique partners across 24 countries from just 4 projects, they operate in large, pan-European security consortia. This makes them accessible and well-connected, but their value lies in providing end-user validation rather than driving project design.

Despite only 4 projects, they have built connections with 72 partners across 24 countries — a remarkably wide network reflecting the large consortium sizes typical of EU security research. Their reach spans most of Europe with no obvious geographic concentration beyond the pan-EU security research community.

What sets them apart

As Norway's central police authority, Politidirektoratet brings something most research organizations cannot: direct access to real-world law enforcement operations, requirements, and testing scenarios. For any consortium needing a Nordic police end-user to validate forensic tools, test detection systems, or provide operational use cases, they are a natural choice. Their participation also signals Norwegian government buy-in, which strengthens proposals targeting the EU Security pillar.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EXFILES
  Their largest project (EUR 504K) tackling one of the most pressing challenges in modern policing — accessing evidence on encrypted smartphones.
• iMARS
  Addresses the growing threat of AI-generated identity fraud through morphing and image manipulation detection — a rapidly evolving security concern.