Vesa Pihajoki appointed as Police Chief at Lapland Police Department

The post will be filled for a maximum period of five years from 1.1.2026 to 31.12.2030.

The National Police Board has appointed Vesa Pihajoki as Police Chief at Lapland Police Department effective as of 1 January 2026. Fifteen people applied for the position.

Vesa Pihajoki has long term experience in policing management positions at the National Police Board. Pihajoki leads public order and security sector as Assistant Police Commissioner at the National Police Board’s Police Operations Unit. He has previously worked as Chief Superintendent and as Superintendent at the National Police Board of Finland and e.g., as Superintendent at the Southwestern Finland Police Department. 

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.