Grensevakt

Grensevakt, or border guard, is a term used in Norwegian and other contexts to denote a government body or units tasked with guarding and policing a nation's borders. The term may refer to a dedicated border protection agency, a police division within the national police, a military border service, or an integrated agency that combines immigration, customs, and border enforcement functions. The core purpose is to maintain territorial integrity and regulate entry and exit across the state's borders.

Typical duties include patrolling border areas, monitoring for illegal crossings, conducting identity and document checks, preventing smuggling and trafficking, and coordinating with other agencies such as customs, coast guard, and immigration authorities. Border guards may operate at land borders, coastal waters, airports, and border checkpoints, using vehicles, patrol vessels or aircraft, surveillance technology, and fencing. They may have authority to detain or arrest individuals, seize contraband, and return or process unauthorized entrants in accordance with applicable laws.

Legal framework and organization vary by country. In some places, grensevakt is a standalone agency; in others it is a function of the police or the armed forces. Border protection practices have evolved from ad hoc guards to professional services with defined procedures, rules of engagement, and human rights safeguards. The specifics of powers, procedures, and training depend on national legislation.

See also: border control, border police, customs, coast guard, immigration authority.