National Police Commissioner: The police support security efforts in educational institutions

National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki received the new police officers’ ethical oath at the Police University College on Wednesday 4 June 2025. In his speech, Ilkka Koskimäki highlighted the safety and security of schools. The police support the security work carried out in educational institutions. However, the security of schools is a more extensive issue, and not a matter for the police alone.

In recent months, there has been a lot of discussion in Finland about the damage to the power cables in the Gulf of Finland and malicious damage inflicted on critical infrastructure, as well as street and gang crime and domestic violence. Online crime has continued to grow, and the police have become aware of an increasing number of serious violent crimes committed by minors, such as the recent stabbing at a school in Pirkkala. The drawbacks of substance abuse and mental health challenges are also increasingly visible to the police.

In his speech, Ilkka Koskimäki emphasised the security of schools and the importance of School25 efforts by the police as part of it. Schools in Finland are safe places, and the police support the security work carried out in educational institutions with school policing, in other words, the police visit schools more often, contribute to the security of schools and help schools in problem situations that are part of the duties of the police. Moreover, the police support security efforts through consultation given within preventive activities in terms of people who cause concern, and by participating in so-called Anchor work.

“Through school police activities, we want the police to always be perceived as reliable, safe and easily approachable. But the security of schools is a more extensive issue, not just a matter for the police alone.”
“Security-related co-operation is conducted with the education administration at all levels. Furthermore, society should ensure that young people have quick access to mental health services and that sufficient resources are provided for support services.”

National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki points out that the police have intensified their operative situational and incident picture and consolidated co-operation with other authorities. The Finnish police are constantly involved in Nordic, European and global crime prevention co-operation as an active partner. The recent cyber environment analysis has just been completed to support the police with the challenges of this demanding operating environment. The preparation of the report on internal security in Finland in accordance with the Government Programme continues, and the long-awaited legislative project to build a general police reserve has started. The starting point in the formation of the police reserve is to secure the capability of the police in all situations.

As there is more and more uncertainty, it is important that the police bring stability to society through their own efforts and continue their daily work in a professional manner and promoting reconciliation. It is our task to serve and provide basic security for everyone, Ilkka Koskimäki said on Wednesday.

Productivity and development

In his speech to those who gave the oath, Ilkka Koskimäki discussed the current themes of police funding and productivity programme.
“In my opinion, the savings targets set for the police are quite reasonable, even though there is great pressure of increased costs in the coming years.”
“The police productivity programme is currently being implemented. Through these measures, we want to balance the budget and take the work of the police forward independently. In addition to finances, the productivity programme focuses on the quality and effectiveness of operations.”
In other words, the police are developing their work. By doing that, the police will keep up with the developments and can operate cost-effectively while maintaining our service and performance capability.
“In brief, it is about developing police work,” Ilkka Koskimäki said.

Reinforced resources create confidence

According to Ilkka Koskimäki, political decision-makers have understood the implications of the intense change in the operating environment on internal and external security in Finland.
“The goal imposed on us to increase the number of persons working in operational duties is well underway. During the current funding allocation period, this means 500 person-workyears more experts and people ensuring everyday security within the police in various positions. The operative capability of the police is an entity where the additional appropriations received will be used for issues such as the prevention of juvenile and gang crime, school police work, fight against the shadow economy and an increase in the capacity of the national Police Rapid Response Unit Karhu.”
“This creates confidence in the future so that we can cope with the tasks assigned to the police as part of comprehensive security in Finland.”

Revised police values: Fair, Courageous and Always Reliable

In his speech to those taking the oath, Ilkka Koskimäki emphasised the values of the police and working in accordance with them.
“Today I want to point out that confidence is a prerequisite for policing, and it is earned in every situation and every encounter with a customer – working in accordance with the values of the police.”
“The revised values of the police were confirmed in the winter: Fair, Courageous and Always Reliable. These values reflect how the police personnel relate to things and people, how they act in various situations and what the organisation looks like to the outside.”
“Our values are interpreted through our actions.”

Ilkka Koskimäki thanked the Police University College for the continuous development of training. Finnish police training provides excellent facilities for coping with demanding police work both domestically and internationally. 

“Police work today calls for multiple competence and courage.”
“While we develop our operations alongside all our everyday work, we must take care of our own and our colleagues’ well-being and competence. Even though our work is demanding, heavy and even dangerous on the front line, let’s also proudly remember the importance of our work and hold on to the joy of work,” he points out.