Police and Democracy in Finland (From Policing, Security and Democracy: Theory and Practice, P 157-185, 2001, Menachem Amir, Stanley Einstein, eds., -- See NCJ-192667)

• NCJ Number: 192676
• Author(s): Ahti Laitinen
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 29 pages
• Sale Source: Office of International Criminal Justice
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper reviews the history of the Finnish police force and its current responsibilities.

Abstract

Finnish citizens' trust in their police is higher than their trust in the Finnish courts, the administrative machinery, or Finnish politicians. People see the police as an important organ for their security, and many are ready to give the police more power, more money, and other resources. The reputation of the Finnish police is currently high in Finland. At the same time, there is ongoing discussion in Finland about broadening police powers. Police work is guided by agreements on human rights, international police ethical norms, research data on people's expectations, and established police practice. Finnish police cooperate closely with different authorities and sectors, the most important ones being rescue services, frontier guards, customs, social and health authorities, schools, and traffic organizations. Corruption among the Finnish police forces is extremely rare. Appointments of Finnish police officers are not political, except for a few of the most senior police officers, at the top of the administration, whose appointments are at times political. Tables, references, glossary, resources