The Finnish police chief expressed embarrassment over multiple instances of assault committed by police officers during operational duties, emphasizing a commitment to learning from these incidents.
Ilkka Koskimäki, the Finnish police chief, publicly addressed the media outlet Yle regarding the troubling frequency of police misconduct, which has resulted in at least 19 convictions for assault or causing bodily harm over the past decade. Koskimäki acknowledged the validity of the concerns raised by the public, affirming that the cases highlighted by Yle's MOT unit represent clear violations of police conduct that warrant serious attention. He expressed deep shame that such incidents can still occur within the police force today.
Despite the alarming statistics, Koskimäki reassured that the overall number of violent incidents by police is minimal considering the millions of operations carried out by officers annually. He emphasized the importance of learning from these cases to ensure they don't recur, aiming to rebuild public trust in law enforcement. His comments came in response to specific troubling incidents, including the case where officers transported a 26-year-old man to a remote area in Sipoonkorpi National Park without proper justification.
Koskimäki defended the existing police protocols, asserting that there are clear operational guidelines regarding the use of force and that the ethical standards within the police force fundamentally remain intact. Nonetheless, he recognized the potential skepticism among citizens and confirmed that the agency takes these issues very seriously, as they understand the implications these incidents have for public perception and police-community relations.
