Marko Viitanen appointed police chief at Eastern Uusimaa Police Department

The post will be filled for a maximum period of five years from 1.11.2024 to 31.10.2029.

The National Police Board has appointed Marko Viitanen, Doctor of Laws, as Police Chief at Eastern Uusimaa Police Department effective as of 1 December 2024. Three people applied for the position.

Viitanen will transfer to the position of Police Chief at the Eastern Uusimaa Police Department from the Häme Police Department, where he has served as Police Chief since December 2020. Viitanen has previously served as, among other roles, Police Chief at the Southeastern Police Department, Director of the Police University College, and Police Director at the Ministry of the Interior.

Police chief heads the police department
 

The police chief directs the operations of the respective police department in accordance with the police strategy as part of the overall police administration. 

The police chief is responsible for:

• the performance of the police department and the coordination of operations, finances and HR management
• organising the police department's police services in its area
• the police department's regional, national and international cooperation with stakeholders and authorities
• the reform of the police department, anticipating the needs of the operating environment
• the effectiveness of the police department's work community and external communications

A police department is tasked with safeguarding legal and social order in its area of operation, maintaining public order and security, police emergency services, preventing crime and disturbances, investigating crimes and gathering evidence for the prosecutor for the consideration of charges, licence administration of the police and other duties belonging to the local police. In addition, a police department is responsible for providing assistance within its scope of responsibility as a general security authority and for other tasks specifically assigned to it.