National Police Commissioner: Police create basic security for everyone
This autumn, Finns have been concerned about damage to critical infrastructure, street and gang crime, activists spraying the pillars of the Parliament building in red paint, and domestic and intimate partner violence. The number of homicides has increased and the police have become increasingly aware of violent crimes committed by minors.
National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki points out that the police have developed their own situational and incident picture, and have analysed data to support their operations. In addition, the police work closely with other authorities and continue to be an active partner in Nordic, European and global crime prevention cooperation.
As uncertainty grows, it’s important that the police bring stability to society through their actions and continue to do their daily work professionally and promoting conciliation. Our mission is to serve and to provide basic security for everyone," he said on Friday.
First speech in office
Koskimäki gave his first speech in office to police officers taking the ethics oath. Topics covered in his speech included current issues such as police funding and the productivity programme.
“In my opinion, the savings targets set for the police are quite reasonable, even though cost pressures will be high in the coming years.
“We are currently considering what we can do to balance the budget, and how, at the same time, we can take policing forward independently. What are the essential policing duties so that we can ensure we focus on the 'right things'? How do we ensure our service regionally, appropriately and timewise?
“Briefly put, it’s all about developing policing,” he says.
Strengthened resources builds confidence
Koskimäki says that political decision-makers have understood the impact of the dramatic change in the operating environment on Finland’s internal and external security.
“The goal we have been set to increase the number of people in operational roles is well on track. This means some 500 more full-time equivalents of experts and police officers for a variety of jobs over the framework period. The operational capacity of the police is where the additional appropriations will be used to address combatting youth and gang crime, police work in schools and combatting the grey economy, for example.
“This builds confidence in the future, so that the police can carry out their assigned duties as part of Finland's overall security.”
Our values are interpreted through our actions
In his speech to those taking the police ethics oath, Koskimäki emphasised the values of the police and how to act in accordance with them. The values of the police have been discussed in various contexts over the past summer and autumn. These discussions have involved the police's own staff, citizens and key stakeholders reflecting on whether the current values of the police have changed or been supplemented over time.
“This month, we will make choices about the values that will guide policing going forward. Values do not mean anything when spoken, but are interpreted through what we do. They reflect how we relate to matters and people, how we act in different situations and the image the organisation has in the outside world. Acting in accordance with our values helps us to make successful decisions.”
He also thanked the Police University College for continuously developing education. Finnish police education provides excellent skills to cope with demanding police work both at home and internationally.
“Policing today requires a wide range of skills and courage.
“While we are developing our operations alongside all our everyday work, we need to look after our own wellbeing and skills, and those of our colleagues. Even though our work is demanding, hard and, at the front line, dangerous, we are also proud to remember the importance of our work and to uphold the joy of it.
