Law enforcement

The Swedish Coast Guard is responsible, independently or in support of the Swedish Prosecution Authority, the Swedish Police or Swedish Customs, for law enforcement and maintaining public order in accordance with the Coast Guard Act (kustbevakningslagen (2019:32) and other legislation. We also take part in the joint cooperation of government agencies against organised crime.

Every year we handle about 700 crime reports and between 80 and 90 requests for support from the Swedish Prosecution Authority, the Swedish Police Authority and Swedish Customs. Most of the support relates to maintaining public order in the maritime area and customs checks.

Direct law enforcement

Preventing crimes that are committed in the maritime environment and are linked to the Coast Guard's mission is part of our direct law enforcement.

In our direct law enforcement, a coast guard officer has the same right as a police officer to, for example, hold interrogations, search a person's body, arrest a suspect, carry out a search and make a seizure.

If it is necessary in order to carry out a law enforcement measure, a public order measure, a control or supervision, a coast guard officer may stop a vessel, board it and, if it is clearly necessary to carry out the measure, take it to a Swedish port.

Indirect law enforcement

We can also support other agencies in their law enforcement work, for example the Swedish Police, Swedish Customs and prosecutors. This is called our indirect law enforcement. Our support is of great importance for the combined resources of society for law enforcement and maintaining public order. In some cases it is absolutely decisive for other agencies to be able to carry out their work.

In our indirect law enforcement, a coast guard officer has the same right as a police officer to carry out a range of measures. Exactly which measures depends on the circumstances, for example whether a preliminary investigation is on going or whether there is a need for immediate action.

Maintaining public order at sea

The Coast Guard acts independently to prevent and against disturbances of public order at sea. In individual cases we may also act against disturbances of public order outside of the maritime area, if we have received a request for support from the Swedish Police. This could, for example, concern a disturbance of public order on land in a harbour while the Coast Guard is passing the place during its regular patrol.

If immediate action is necessary to prevent serious danger to life or health, action may be taken even without a request for support.