Speakers

Mrs. Fossen is the Head of UN Police (UNPOL) component in UNMISS and vested with its overall command and direction. Mrs. Fossen joined the Mission in November 2021.

Prior to joining UNMISS, Commissioner Fossen held the position of Special Advisor at the Ministry of Justice, in Oslo from 2019-2021. She represented the Norwegian Ministry of Justice in the United Nations’ Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C-34) and worked on the Security Council team at the Ministry of Justice during Norway’s time in the UNSC. She was daily in contact with the Norwegian MFA, the Norwegian PM and the Norwegian Police advisor team to the UN, in NY.

2016-2019 Mrs. Fossen held the position as Police Commissioner, Southeast Police District, Norway.  Commissioner Fossen has a rich career with the Norwegian police force. Throughout the course of her career, Commissioner Fossen held several high-ranking posts. She began her police career in Moss Police District in 1990, serving as a Police Prosecutor. She was in 1995 appointed as Deputy Police Commissioner in Vadsø Police District where she in 1998 was promoted to Police Commissioner, at the time the youngest commissioner in Norway.

For the period 1999-2001 Mrs. Fossen was Chief organized crime unit in Oslo Police HQ. In the period 2002-2019 she continued to serve in the capacity of Police Commissioner in various parts of Norway, through two major Police reforms in Norway.    

From 2013 to August 2015 Commissioner Fossen was Head of the Admissions Board at the Norwegian Police University College.

From March 2013 to September 2014, she was Head of Mission Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH), which was civilian surveillance organization, with a mandate to “observe and report”, located in Hebron on the West Bank of Palestine.

Police Commissioner Fossen has a total 32 years in the Police force, and 19 years as Commissioner in various parts of Norway, including 18 Months as Head of mission in Hebron/TIPH.

Commissioner Fossen holds a master’s degree in law from the University of Oslo in Norway, in addition several courses as, United Nations Senior Missions leader course, UN Police Commander course, NODIFEC peace mediation course, CEPOL/EU Police commander /law enforcement training, and 12 week training course for Senior Government officials at the Norwegian Defence University College.   

Mrs. Fossen is married, has 3 sons and one grandson.