Finland's Police Chief Ilkka Koskimäki acknowledges that there have been cases of police misconduct involving the unlawful use of force, but argues that the number is small compared to the volume of police duties.
In a recent interview with Yle, Police Chief Ilkka Koskimäki addressed serious allegations of police violence raised by Yle's investigative program, MOT. The investigation revealed that within nearly ten years, police personnel have been convicted of assault or causing bodily harm during the performance of their duties at least 19 times. While Koskimäki emphasizes that the overall number is low when considering the millions of police interventions, he acknowledges the severity of the cases mentioned in the report, particularly those involving minors. He noted that these incidents unequivocally reflect wrongdoing by the officers involved.
Koskimäki expressed his commitment to learning from these situations and improving police practices, stating that the incidents do not indicate a systemic issue within the police force. He reiterated that the behavior displayed in the cases cited by MOT was not justified and assured that steps will be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future. Despite the criticism, he maintains that the protocols currently in place are adequate, highlighting the importance of context in assessing police actions during emergency situations.
Overall, the commentary from Police Chief Koskimäki signals a recognition of the need for accountability and continuous improvement within the police force while also aiming to reassure the public about the effectiveness and integrity of police operations in Finland.
