The police and public safety
Public safety in Finland is built on prevention, trust, and the rule of law. The police play a central role in maintaining public order, investigating crime, and assisting people in urgent situations. At the same time, police powers are strictly defined by law, and police actions are subject to oversight. This balance between effectiveness and legal safeguards is essential for public trust and democratic stability.
The role of the police
The Finnish police are responsible for maintaining public order and safety. In everyday life, this includes responding to emergencies, preventing disturbances, intervening in dangerous situations, and helping people who are in need of protection or assistance. Police work is not only about reacting to crime, but also about preventing harm before it happens.
Police also investigate suspected crimes. Investigations aim to establish what happened, collect evidence, and ensure that cases can be assessed fairly in the legal process. In criminal matters, police do not decide guilt or punishment: they investigate under legal rules, and the final decision belongs to prosecutors and courts.
A core feature of policing in a rule-of-law state is impartiality. Police must treat individuals fairly and without discrimination, and must base decisions on lawful grounds rather than personal judgement, political influence, or social pressure.
Police powers and legal limits
Police powers in Finland are defined by law. This is a key protection in a democratic society: powers such as stopping a person, searching premises, limiting movement, or using force cannot be based on convenience or intuition alone. They must be grounded in legal authority and used only when the legal conditions are met.
Legal limits are not obstacles to safety; they are safeguards that protect everyone. When police powers are clearly regulated, people can understand what to expect and can challenge unlawful actions through legal procedures. This strengthens legal certainty and reduces the risk of arbitrary use of authority.
The law also requires that police action is necessary and proportionate. Even when police have the right to intervene, they must choose measures that are appropriate to the situation. In practice, this means that stronger measures require stronger justification.
Public order, everyday safety, and prevention
Public safety is broader than crime control. It includes everyday conditions that allow people to live and move freely: safe streets, predictable public services, and the ability to resolve disputes peacefully. Police presence and rapid response capacity are part of what makes these conditions possible.
Prevention is a major element of public safety. Police work often focuses on reducing risks before serious harm occurs. This can include community policing, cooperation with local actors, monitoring high-risk situations, and intervening early in conflicts that could escalate.
Prevention also includes addressing underlying problems, such as repeated disturbances, domestic violence risks, and situations where vulnerable individuals need protection. In these cases, police action may be combined with support services and cooperation with other authorities.
Use of force and proportionality
Police may use force only when the law allows it and when it is necessary to carry out a lawful duty. This principle exists to protect both the public and the police. It recognises that some situations involve real danger, but it also sets strict limits to prevent excessive force.
A central legal standard is proportionality. The level of force must match the seriousness of the threat and must be the least intrusive option that can achieve a lawful objective. If a situation can be resolved through communication or lesser measures, the law requires that these options are preferred.
Proportionality is closely linked to accountability. When force is used, it must be justifiable under the law, and police actions can be examined afterwards if necessary. This reinforces trust and ensures that public power remains lawful.
Accountability, oversight, and public trust
In Finland, police actions are subject to oversight. Oversight is essential because policing involves significant powers, and these powers must remain under legal control. Accountability mechanisms help ensure that mistakes and misconduct can be identified, investigated, and corrected.
Courts play an important role in legal supervision. The legality of police actions may be reviewed in criminal proceedings, administrative matters, or complaints processes. In addition, independent oversight authorities may supervise legality and investigate complaints about the actions of public officials.
Public trust is not automatic; it is maintained through lawful conduct, professionalism, and transparency. When people believe that police act fairly, they are more likely to cooperate, report crimes, and comply with lawful instructions. This cooperation strengthens safety for everyone.
Why policing and public safety matter
Public safety is a basic condition for a functioning society. Without safety, rights and freedoms cannot be used fully in practice. Policing helps protect people from harm, supports the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and ensures that public order is maintained in a lawful way.
For residents and future citizens, understanding the role of the police also means understanding legal safeguards. Finland’s approach is based on the idea that strong public safety and strong legal protection must exist together. This is an essential feature of the rule of law.