402 Int. J. Business and Systems Research, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2010 Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. The role of police oversight organisations: a systems perspective Petter Gottschalk* Norwegian School of Management, Nydalsveien 17, Oslo 0442, Norway E-mail: petter.gottschalk@bi.no *Corresponding author Rune Glomseth Norwegian Police University College, Slemdalsveien, P.O. Box 5027, Majorstua, Oslo 0301, Norway E-mail: rune.glomseth@phs.no Abstract: Knowledge management systems refer to a class of information systems applied to manage organisational knowledge. Such systems play a critical role in police oversight business, as discussed in this paper. The great majority of individuals involved in policing is committed to honourable and competent public service and is demonstrating high standards of personal and procedural integrity in performing their duties. However, in every police organisation there exists an element of dishonesty, lack of professionalism and criminal behaviour. Police oversight agencies are watchdog bodies designed to ensure that police are operating with integrity and accountability. The Norwegian Bureau for the Investigation of Police Affairs is the police oversight agency. Since its establishment in 2005, the Bureau has prosecuted 57 police employees in criminal courts. This paper presents results from a content analysis of these court sentences. Keywords: systems; knowledge management; information technology; knowledge organisation; oversight business; police misconduct. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Gottschalk, P. and Glomseth, R. (2010) ‘The role of police oversight organisations: a systems perspective’, Int. J. Business and Systems Research, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp.402–416. Biographical notes: Petter Gottschalk is a Professor in the Department of Leadership and Organization at the Norwegian School of Management. He teaches knowledge management in the Norwegian Police University College. Rune Glomseth is a Police Superintendent and an Assistant Professor at the Norwegian Police University College. He has many years of experience in law enforcement including police patrolling, investigations, police intelligence, proactive work and administration. He teaches organisational development and leadership to undergraduate and graduate students as well as law enforcement executives.