The Timeout Foundation grants this recognition to an actor who has strengthened dialogue, inclusion, and democracy in Finland.
The joint Gaming Police project of the Police University College, Ostrobothnia Police Department, and Häme Police Department develops new multi-professional activities to prevent and combat harmful activities and crime targeting children in the digital gaming world. The initiative will soon be launched in Åland as well. The aim of the Gaming Police project is to improve police availability and accessibility and operational capability on gaming platforms and discussion forums, and to offer help to risk groups and crime victims. The project focuses particularly on sexual violence targeting children, cybercrime, and violent radicalization and extremism. The gaming activities also aim to prevent and combat hate crime.
"In the Gaming Police project, we are doing something completely new that has never been done in Finland before: the police are present in the virtual gaming world, ‘patrolling’ among children and young people. The credit goes especially to the police officers who have carried out practical work in the virtual gaming environment. Thanks also to all our partners in social and health services, youth work, the third sector, and internationally," says Pirjo Jukarainen, Project Manager at the Police University College.
The justification for the recognition states that the Timeout Foundation values the police’s interactive and long-term work in gaming communities and platforms. According to the foundation, the police have long been pioneers on various social media platforms and other online communities. The Gaming Police operates on platforms where young people already are and enables discussions on even difficult topics.
"We organize weekly gaming events online. These events are not just about playing; we also address themes raised by children and young people or by police departments, such as traffic safety, glorification of criminal lifestyles, and gambling. In addition, we offer the opportunity to chat anonymously with the police. Once a month, the gaming event is multi-professional, allowing chat discussions with social and health care professionals and youth workers, who can provide help if needed," explains Sergeant Pasi Puumala, a gaming police officer.
"Children and young people spend most of their free time online. The police can reach thousands of young people in a short time through the internet. Operating on digital platforms has made it possible to establish contact with a low threshold and has built trust in the police. Young people have dared to share situations where, for example, they have been victims of crime or have been coerced into committing crimes", says Chief Superintendent Miia Lehtinen from the National Police Board.
This year, three actors received the Recognition for Act of Dialogue in Finland. The other awardees are SAMS, an interest organization for the Swedish nationwide disability organizations in Finland, and The Walkers concept by the Children of the Station organization. In addition, Alma Jokinen and Eetu Leinonen, the Youth Delegates of Finland for the EU, received an honorable mention.
Timeout Foundation’s news about the recognition
Information about the Gaming Police project
