The Danish Security and Intelligence Service’s bodyguard unit ended this year’s training without any female recruits, renewing debate over gender balance in elite police divisions.
One Woman’s Departure Highlights a Bigger Problem
In the final week of the Police Intelligence Service’s (PET) demanding bodyguard training, the last remaining female candidate was dismissed. She had survived weeks of intense exercises designed to test physical and mental endurance but fell short of expectations in one of the final tactical simulations.
Her exit means that, for now, PET’s elite bodyguard division remains entirely male. The outcome has disappointed leadership, who have invested time and resources in bringing more women into the ranks.
Inside PET’s Rigorous Training
The PET bodyguard course began with 121 hopefuls. Only 12 made it through to the final round. Each participant was a fully trained police officer with several years of field experience. Over several weeks, they were tested on everything from shooting accuracy and combat endurance to first aid, stress management, and quick tactical thinking.
The training’s core principle is straightforward: future bodyguards must protect ministers, royals, and other high-profile figures in any scenario. Trainees face a simulated attack called “the run-through,” where they must make split-second decisions under pressure. The test is designed to evaluate leadership, reaction speed, and emotional control.
PET instructors say the key qualities are not only physical ability but psychological resilience. Candidates are put under extreme pressure, deprived of sleep, and subjected to sudden stress before being asked to perform intricate tasks. Those who manage to stay calm are considered suitable for protection duties.
Gender Diversity Remains Out of Reach
The struggle to retain female participants has been ongoing. Twelve women began this year’s selection round; none completed it. PET officials say the physical demands of the course are the same for men and women, and both are expected to perform at identical levels. While men may hold physical advantages in specific exercises, instructors believe women often excel in communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Still, the results speak for themselves. Once again, no woman managed to secure a position in the unit. The leadership acknowledges the imbalance and says efforts to solve it will continue. Some have compared the challenge to Denmark’s broader debate about equality within armed and police forces, which is already reflected in policies like female conscription advancing sooner than expected.
A Broader Look at Representation in Danish Forces
Danish special units, including the elite Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, the Frogman Corps, and the Jaeger Corps, have rarely seen female recruits. None of these units currently include women. The Ministry of Defense and PET have not provided updated statistics on annual female admissions, despite public interest.
Yet the overall pipeline suggests there is potential. At the Danish Police Academy, women made up 34 percent of new recruits in 2023, marking a steady increase over the past decade. For many involved in training, this points to a growing talent pool that PET could draw from.
A Question of Culture as Much as Strength
Experts and trainers agree that gender diversity could bring valuable perspective to high-stakes security operations. However, they also recognize that changing long-established institutional cultures takes time. PET’s leadership has looked to neighboring Nordic countries for inspiration, analyzing how others have succeeded in integrating more female officers into demanding units.
Some of those adjustments include mentoring, redesigned recruitment processes, and better career support during and after tough training programs. Career development networks like career coaching initiatives for foreigners and professionals in Denmark could serve as examples of how structured guidance helps talent thrive in demanding workplaces.
Looking Ahead
The outcome of this year’s PET training has been sobering for those hoping to see more women in the bodyguard corps. While the last woman standing did not finish, her profile—resilient, skilled, and dedicated—is exactly what PET’s leaders want to see again.
Work is already underway to ensure that more women apply in the next round. PET’s leadership insists that the ambition remains unchanged: a stronger, more diverse unit capable of handling Denmark’s most critical protection tasks.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Denmark accelerates female conscription to July 2025
The Danish Dream: Best career coaches in Denmark for foreigners
DR: Da den sidste kvinde falder fra livvagtsuddannelse må chefen se sin ambition smuldre
