Ari Karvonen to continue as Police Chief at Southeastern Finland Police Department

The post will be filled for a maximum period of five years from 1.3.2026 to 28.2.2031.

The National Police Board has appointed Ari Karvonen as Police Chief at Southeastern Finland Police Department effective as of 1 March 2026. 
Two people applied for the position. The post became vacant due to the expiry of the previous five-year term.
Karvonen has long-term and wide-ranging experience in various leadership positions. Karvonen has served as the Police Chief of the Southeastern Finland Police Department since April 2021. He has previously worked e.g. as Deputy Police Chief at the Eastern Uusimaa 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.