National Police Commissioner Koskimäki: Police results at the beginning of the year are positive – Strict conduct obligations for oath takers

Police performance is built through daily core work in the field, in traffic control, in investigations, and in licensing services. According to National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki, the figures from the beginning of the year are quite positive.

– The number of emergency assignments has increased nationwide, but despite this, response times for urgent tasks have decreased. In addition, patrol units have been highly active in engaging with schools and daycare yards, and preventive work is part of everyday operations, Koskimäki stated at the police oath ceremony in Tampere on Wednesday.

– Six out of ten crime reports are resolved in less than one month. This improves legal protection for the parties involved and reduces the administrative burden. The clearance rate for violent crimes and robberies has risen to over 77 percent at the beginning of the year, compared to less than 65 percent last year.

“It is important for us to identify evolving threats”

Koskimäki is confident that police performance can also be secured in the coming years. The number of operational police personnel has been increased, and Parliament has just approved legislation on a police reserve.

– It is important for us to identify evolving threats, prepare for them, and systematically develop our capabilities so that citizens can continue to trust that the police will provide an immediate response.

He referred in his speech to drone-related threats and noted that the police have also prepared for them, as aircraft can be used for terrorist and criminal purposes.

“At times we encounter poor police work – and it must be addressed”

The National Police Commissioner emphasized to the oath takers the importance of conduct obligations and ethical principles.

– Public trust and the strong reputation of the police are earned through doing the right things in daily work and communicating about them. The opposite is misconduct, for which we have absolute zero tolerance. At times we encounter poor police work, and it must be addressed, he said.

– Criminal or unethical behavior is unacceptable under any circumstances. We do not conceal misconduct either. If you observe such behavior, it is your duty as a police officer to report it within your organization.

The speech by the National Police Commissioner has been published on the police website at police.fi