Inspektør

Inspektør is a title used in Danish and Norwegian to denote a person who performs inspection or oversight. The Swedish form is inspektör, while the English equivalent is inspector. The term originates from Latin inspecere/inspectus, through French and other Romance languages, and denotes someone who looks into or examines a matter.

In general usage, an inspektør is a professional responsible for ensuring compliance, safety, quality, or proper operation within an organization or in relation to statutory rules. Typical duties include planning and conducting inspections, observing and measuring conditions, reviewing records, interviewing staff, and compiling reports. Depending on the field, an inspektør may issue warnings, fines, licenses, permits, or orders to correct deficiencies, and may coordinate with other authorities during investigations.

Fields commonly employing inspektører include public regulation (such as health, safety, and environmental controls), building and housing inspections, education oversight, and law enforcement or prison administration in some jurisdictions. In some countries, inspektør also refers to a rank or official position within the police or civil service.

Historically, inspektør could denote the head of an institution or a senior administrator, such as a school inspector or prison inspector, rather than a line officer. The precise duties and authorities depend on national or local law, agency mandates, and the sector in which the person operates.