After obtaining a Master of Law degree from the University of Oslo, she worked as a deputy judge in Skien and Porsgrunn and as a consultant in the Directorate for prices,[1] with most of her career in various positions in the police force, becoming Chief of police in Vestfold in 2007.

[2] In 2016, Bjørnland stated in a radio interview with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation that being expressively 'anti-Islam' is enough to be considered as 'right-wing extremist' by the PST.

[6] As of 28 October, the justice ministry decided not make a decision in regard to the conflict of interest.

[7] Tenold filed a complaint about his termination, which was overseen by the Police Directorate's central employment-council.

[7] In August 2024, she announced that she wouldn't seek to be reappointed for a second term as director of police in 2025.