Finnish Police Facts and Life

With soPme 7700 Police Officers of which 28% are women,it is not difficult to miss the presence of the Finnish Police(Poliisi).With numerous encounters over the yers with an on-off relationship with Alcohol and being blind,99% of the time they do an excellent job.It can be seen on a fairly regular basis,the local drunks being bundled in to the back of a police van and escorted to a Finnish Police Station,where you are stripped of any self harm clothing,personal objects and lockedup for the night to be kicked out at 0600.You get your property returned and most important for smokers the chance to light up and restore their nicotine balance.You could be mistaken for a feeling that you are under the watchful eyes of Big Brother not the Finnish Police

The Finnish Police from a human point of view

I guess I have had the pleasure or the Finnish Police,or they have had the pleasure of me some 60 times over the last 21 years.Even spending 41 days in Ristikkokatu Jail for non-payment of fines.The experience was not bad but at times unpleasant as the food was poor and exercise  was curtailed to one hour a day.The only real chance to get some fresh air.

In 60 arrests,I have only been man-handled once by te Finnish Police and that was 19 years ago.I refused to come out of the kitchen and barricaded the door from the inside.It took the Finnish Police some 20 minutes to convince me to open the door.Bad or Good mistake by me,as I was to be handcuffed and beaten over the shoulders on escort to the Police cell.As I was to blame for the inconvenience caused I took it lightly,though painful and left with bruises.To add insult to injury I was fined 320 Finnish Markka ,about 80 Euros today for the trouble caused.

When you catch a glimpse of the Finnish Policeyou would believe on first inspection that they all follow a strict regime of body building and fitness.The majority of times I have had encounters with the Finnish Police they all are big,tall and appear super fit.Whether it is pre-requisite for joining the force or done after joining I do not know.You gat the distinct impression though that they are separated from the rest of society;where do they drink and enjoy their free time?are questions I ask myself!As in most National Police Forces it is a necessity for FinnishPoliceto be segregated from the general public so as not to be seen and noticed by Ex.criminals or disgruntled arrestees from the past.

Most if not all Finnish Police are helpful and easy to approach.They do at times seem aloof though especially if alcohol can be smelt on the breathe.Finish Police Officers carry a holster,though from years of discussion there are no live cartridges loaded.In what situation they can be lorded I do not know for sure and am not going to test it to find the answer!

The future for Finnish Police

Finnish Police Patrol

As a British Expatriate living in Helsinki Finland I remember the days back in England,when the British Police made a concerted effort to present a more friendly face to the public at large.This involved walking bobbies on patrol and out and about  talking to the public at large.This practice by British Bobbies  was hailed with respect and showed a more human person behind the uniform.I believe the Finnish Police would do well to look at this example of local community policing and the positive image it can produce in people of the general public.It can be to easily interpreted as a Big.Brother symbol if Finnish Police only police from their cars and vans and do not venture out to mingle with the public at large

Saying that Finnish Police(Poliisi) are to be seen occasionally riding the bicycle paths and sight seeing in the many public parks dotted around Helsinki.On a whole I would rather the Finnish Police were there than not especially as I have been diagnosed visually impaired through contracting Multiple Sclerosis

The FinnishPolice