The police will continue school co-operation also in 2026

The Finnish police will continue to co-operate with schools and wants to be involved in the everyday life of young people wherever they are. The goal is to increase security, provide support and be easily reachable. The National Police Board conducted a survey among the police units about their experiences of the school co-operation model of the police this year.

Police departments have considered the co-operation model necessary, and the feedback from schools has been positive. The personnel resources allocated to the school co-operation efforts have been actively used by different police departments. Schools and the police have clear instructions on how to keep in touch so that help can be found at the right time and in the right place. The feedback received from citizens emphasises the strengthening of the visibility and accessibility of the police and the security of schools. The efforts are considered as valuable, and even more corresponding efforts are hoped for in the future.

All schools are offered the opportunity to participate in online lessons implemented by the police, which deal with topics of interest to young people and related to everyday life. About 425,000 schoolchildren were reached during the lessons in 2025. Something new is coming up for next year in terms of these lessons! Moreover, the police will produce content for teachers, custodians and young people on social media channels next year as well. So, follow the social media profiles of the Koulu25 group!

Police patrols continue to be actively present in schools, educational institutions and daycare centres

Police patrols visiting schools have been well received, and it is considered that the visits increase security. The police have also considered it meaningful to meet and reach young people in this way.

“It is important to meet young people face to face – it increases trust and strengthens the sense of security. The long-term goal is to reduce prejudice against the police and prevent disruptive behaviour at school and in leisure time. By the middle of November 2025, the police had visited daycare centres, schools and other educational institutions on approximately 4,700 occasions,” says Assistant Police Commissioner Pasi Rissanen of the National Police Board.

Co-operation between the police and schools has become closer through the nation-wide operating model of the police. The feedback from schools has been positive:

“The presence of the police is considered to be valuable and desirable. The co-operation has reduced the number of unnecessary police reports and lowered the threshold for asking for advice. The school consultation help line in particular has become a key tool for providing quick help in situations and getting a better overall idea of the situation at hand,” says Pasi Rissanen and adds:

“This year, the police have registered more than 2,300 police reports related to the co-operation between the police and schools. Most of these are assaults. School should and must be a safe place for everyone!”