Licence Administration works for society

Chief of Licence Services (lupapäällikkö), acting Head of Sector (sektorinjohtaja) Minna Lifländer
Southeastern Finland Police Department, police services, licence administration sector
MA

As Chief of Licence Services and Head of the Licence Administration Sector, I lead, develop and monitor the activities of our licence sector. I’m also the licence administration sector supervisor (lupahallintosektorin esihenkilö), and my duties include responsibility for implementing the strategic guidelines of the police department and for the coordination and development of its activities with regard to the sector. I’m a member of various national working groups that develop the Licence Administration. My work also includes giving opinions on matters such as complaints. 

In my current role, I can draw on a wide range of experience that I have accumulated over twenty years in the police service.

I started my career in the police as a translator while I was still finishing my master's degree. I then moved to the customer service department of the Licence Administration, where I was also responsible for applications for driving licences. I also took on managerial responsibilities as a deputy to our supervisor (esihenkilömme sijainen). Working in police customer service provided me with an effective introduction to the processes and types of licences and permits in the Licence Administration.

I moved from customer service to the licence supervision side, working as an inspector and commanding officer supervisor in the licence team (luparyhmän päällystöesihenkilönä). I was responsible in particular for the resolution of criminal driving offences. During those years, I also learnt about with the special features of the private security sector and decisions concerning public events.

These past years I’ve worked as chief of licence services (lupapäällikkö). My permanent position is that of commanding officer supervisor in the licence team (luparyhmän päällystöesihenkilönä), whose duties include leading, developing and supervising the activities of the licence team and providing concrete solutions to licence matters addressed to commanding officers (päällystö). The post of chief of licence services (lupapäällikkö) provides an opportunity to perform a variety of commanding officer-level duties in the police service. Long experience of a variety of roles in Licence Administration and a sound knowledge of the types of licence is of great benefit in the work of both chief of licence services and head of sector. 

There is no single educational pathway to becoming chief of licence services and it may well be that the job title is still relatively new to many people.

I have an MA in languages and a BBA specialising in business. Over the years, I’ve built on my skills by completing various training at the National Police Board. My employer has offered various courses and supervisor training on administrative procedures and the application of the Administrative Procedure Act and other legislation. Working as a translator for the police in the early years of my career, I learnt about both the day-to-day life in the field and investigations alike. Understanding the duties of other sectors in the police has certainly been helpful.

As a commanding officer with a civilian background, I feel that I have had great opportunities in my career. In Licence Administration, you get to work for the benefit of society, and that's something I continue to be excited about every day