There’s a lack of respect for the uniform. The problem in the new TV series is taken straight from reality.

The tone is set with the words *"The citizens, they fucking hate us"* in DR’s new drama series *Uniformen*, spoken by an instructor.

The series depicts life at a police academy, where students are prepared for work as officers.

And although the series is fiction—and the statement therefore also—there are several parallels with the real world, according to teachers and the principal of the actual Police Academy.

> *"I’ve told some students outright that if you can’t laugh a little at yourself, you’ll become a bad officer,"*

> **Trine Ekberg**, section leader for the first semester at the Police Academy, says.

The creators of the series capture a challenge also felt at the real police academy: respect for the police is declining.

- *"In my experience, trust in authority has been falling for years—certainly before my time as well,"* says Police Academy principal **Jan Bjørn**, who himself joined the force in 1989 and has spent 36 years in the police—first on the streets, later as a leader, and now as principal.

This isn’t just a problem within the police force but reflects a broader societal trend of questioning authority, the principal believes.

While it does make the police’s work more difficult, he actually sees it as a healthy development.

- *"It’s part of being in a democratic society. Information is more accessible. People share good and bad experiences on social platforms. We’re more informed than before. We ask more questions—and that’s also true of how the police operate. And we need to be able to handle that,"* says Jan Bjørn.

The principal isn’t alone in his view that the police encounter more critical citizens.

**Morten Cramer**, who teaches the first semester in reality and is primarily responsible for the theoretical part of the instruction, also believes respect for the police uniform is declining.

- *"I think we can quickly conclude that it is,"* he says.

Both the instructor and the principal see the dwindling trust in authority expressed in increased discussions with the police and more questions about officers’ work.

- *"I think people question authorities more. Can you decide that over me, or can I decide that for myself? I believe that’s a general trend in society, where people are more skeptical about certain things,"* says instructor Morten Cramer.

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**"The glass cage" has become "the aquarium"**

Life at the Police Academy in the series is far more colorful than in reality, while other elements are clearly inspired by real-life experiences.

For instance, students in the series are taught the subject of *use of force*—something real police cadets also do.

In the series, the training room is called *"the aquarium."* At the actual police academy, it’s called *"the glass cage,"* because the room—just as the name suggests—is surrounded by glass walls. Partly for transparency in what’s happening inside, partly so students get used to being observed in their work.

- *"We prepare them for that from day one,"* says Police Academy principal Jan Bjørn.

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**Simulating difficult citizens**

The academy tries to prepare future officers for *that* reality. Training good officers for today’s citizens demands more than it did 40 years ago, believes **Trine Ekberg**, section leader for the first semester at the Police Academy.

Back then, simply showing up in a police uniform and politely asking people to stay on the correct side of a barrier was enough.

- *"The citizens did it then. They don’t anymore,"* she says.

That’s why, in her view, it’s more important than ever to be skilled at engaging in dialogue with citizens as a police officer. The recognizable uniform—blue shirt with black vest—is no longer sufficient.

- *"It becomes really bad police work if you think you can assert authority solely because of our uniform, since the perception of uniforms and authority in general has changed."*

So what does the Police Academy do?

First, the academy explicitly tells students what to expect *"on the streets,"* explains the principal.

Second, part of the instruction takes place through *"situation games"*—a kind of role-play where students and teachers act out realistic scenarios within the school’s safe environment.

- *"There, students can test their skills when people don’t do as they’re told,"* says Jan Bjørn.

In these role-plays, instructors ensure the critical citizen is included, and students practice de-escalating conflicts.

**Lene Maria Christensen** plays the newly appointed principal, who has much to oversee in *Uniformen*. *(Photo: © Per Arnesen)*

Third, students must learn to use humor in their work as officers.

- *"I’ve told some students outright that if you can’t laugh a little at yourself, you’ll become a bad officer. When you take yourself too seriously, it’s hard to meet citizens where they are,"* says Trine Ekberg, section leader for the first semester.

But the police uniform is a complex issue, she explains. On one hand, it grants some authority. On the other, it imposes demands on those who wear it, she believes.

- *"When you put on this uniform, you have to be able to endure more than other people."*

**SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 | 51 MIN**

*Uniformen: First Day of School*

Warning: This article was translated by a Large Language Model, in case of doubt, you can always visit the original source.