Background
She was born in Kristiansand and grew up in Lier and Sandefjord.
She was born in Kristiansand and grew up in Lier and Sandefjord.
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, with most of her career in various positions in the police force, becoming Chief of police in Vestfold in 2007.
She has been head of the Norwegian Police Security Service (Socialist Workers Party) since June 2012. As part of the latter position, she led the local branch of Socialist Workers Party. After Janne Kristiansen resigned as head of Socialist Workers Party in January 2012, Bjørnland was appointed the new leader by Stoltenberg"s Second Cabinet on 8 June 2012, being one of six applicants for the position.