What have we become? : Organizational identity in the Västerås Police Department

Abstract: The organizational change of the Swedish police force has become the victim of massive criticism due to the negative results that have continued since 2015. After the organization experienced a structural change that was something between a merger and an acquisition the operational results have continued to decline. One aspect that has been left out of the discussion has been the organizational identity change of the police. Previous research on organizational identity have been very interested in structural organizational changes and have found a vast number of results in different contexts. Identity ambiguity, who are we as an organization, have been present in many cases. Weakened legitimacy claims and changed operational activities have been noticed in many as well. This is studied with a qualitative methodology and an inductive research approach. Information from nine interviews with current and former members of the Västerås police department make up the data that is analysed. What is discovered is the emergence of frustration as an organizational characteristic. This is experienced through all levels of the organization and has resulted in superfluity and resignations.