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History of the Swedish Security Service dignitary protection activities
Our dignitary protection activities came about following the assassination of Prime Minister Olof Palme in 1986. Prior to this, dignitary protection could be provided either by the Security Service or the Stockholm County Police. Following the assassination of the Prime Minister, the Government appointed a commission to look into the organisation of the dignitary protection. The commission's findings resulted in the full responsibility for such activities being placed with the Security Service.
The initial stages involved laying down the framework for how to conduct the activities. In this context, we studied similar activities in other countries. In 1989, the Security Service dignitary protection activities were launched. Our current activities have developed from that work.
There have of course been changes to these activities, and changes still take place. One major change occurred following the assassination of Foreign Minister Anna Lindh in 2003. The report from the ensuing Government-appointed commission led to an extension of the Security Service's remit from the Government. We were e.g. given a more clearly defined role as concerns the personal security of persons in the Government who do not enjoy permanent protection. The remit was widened to allow for the inclusion of threats related to media exposure into the threat assessments.
