Cooperation, Reality, and Vision for the Future
Recently, viewers could watch as Landinn on RÚV visited the Police Science program at the University of Akureyri. We were curious to learn how this came about and to experience the atmosphere during such a visit. Andrew Paul Hill, a lecturer in the Police Science program, shared the story. He explained that there was no formal promotion that led to Landinn visiting the program at the University of Akureyri. Rather, it was a fortunate coincidence and the positive attitude of interested parties that made this exciting project happen.
“In 2024, I organized and led an experimental event, a one and half-day exercise where students from several courses worked together,“ says Andy, as he is commonly known, adding that due to extremely positive feedback, it was decided to develop the idea further in 2025. Among other enhancements, actors were brought in to simulate events in order to increase the realism of the exercises, drawing from Andy’s experience as a police trainer in the UK.
A Fictional Case turns into a Complex Crime Investigation
It was during a planning meeting with a local theater group that an unexpected opportunity arose. “A representative of the theater group mentioned that her husband worked as a cameraman for Landinn and suggested that our project could be an interesting topic for the show,“ Andy explains. Thus, by chance, Landinn decided to visit the training session — though the preparation behind the scenes was anything but random. “The training exercise could never have become a reality without excellent cooperation between teachers, police trainers, specialists, the police departments in Akureyri and Reykjavik, and a talented group of actors.“
Andy Hill
During Landinn's visit, students were in the midst of a large-scale exercise simulating a real police investigation. “Students from three different courses worked together to investigate a fictional assault and theft case that evolved into a more complex criminal case,“ says Andy. The project spanned a day and a half, during which students worked in teams, held meetings, took witness statements from actors, and compiled investigative reports.
All student work was assessed by a mix of faculty from the University of Akureyri, investigators from both Akureyri and Reykjavik police departments, and experts from the Police Education and Training Center. This interdisciplinary collaboration blended academic knowledge with practical skills, emphasizing communication and investigative abilities.
Development and Future Vision for Police Education
What stood out most to Andy was how Landinn's visit provided the public with a glimpse into the development of police education in Iceland. “This was a unique opportunity to showcase the quality of our program and how it serves the evolving needs of Icelandic society,“ he says. He also highlights how impressive the professionalism of all participants was — students, actors, teachers, and police specialists alike.
The visit came at an ideal time, as the application period for the Police Science program was just beginning.
Asked about the current state and future of the Police Science program, Andy says the curriculum is constantly evolving. “Policing is ever-changing, and our curriculum must reflect changes in society, technology, and legislation,“ he says.
In 2026, the University of Akureyri and the Police Education and Training Center will celebrate ten years of collaboration — a significant milestone in elevating police education to university level in Iceland, following developments seen in the Nordic countries and the UK.
Looking ahead, exciting changes are on the horizon: increased use of digital technology in teaching, the development of simulation-based learning, a stronger focus on community-oriented policing, and more international cooperation. “The goal is to ensure that Icelandic police cadets are well prepared for the diverse and ever-changing society of the future,“ Andy concludes.