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This study delves into two key facets of police engagement with new legislation: how officers become aware about new laws and how they develop the competence to apply them. The motivation behind this research is to identify potential gaps in knowledge transfer and competency necessary for the application of new legal frameworks.

The study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and involved seven interviewees from the Swedish Police Authority. Officers contend with a deluge of information from various channels, leading to challenges in prioritizing crucial data, such as new legislation, amid the deluge. Official channels like internal platforms and emails serve as primary information sources, but unofficial channels like news media and personal contacts hold comparable importance.

Mastering legislation goes beyond textual comprehension, emphasizing the translation of legal requisites into practical knowledge. The integration of practical knowledge and intent equips officers to effectively implement new laws. Collaborative interpretation among officers fosters the transition of individual knowledge into shared organizational expertise. While acknowledging the responsibility of individual officers to stay updated, supervisors play a pivotal role in encouraging and mandating continuous professional development.

Notably, while prior research emphasizes knowledge transfer from senior to junior officers, this study underscores the significance of specialized colleagues versed in legislation, irrespective of their tenure, for practical application.