Finland Times

 

Police launch asylum-chat on Wednesday, 18 November 2015. Photo – Lehtikuva.

The police organised an online asylum discussion for the first time on Wednesday, receiving hundreds of questions. 

 

People asked police experts about refugees on Facebook and Twitter. There were 300 questions submitted via Facebook alone, said National Police Board Head of Communications Marko Luotonen.

 

Luotonen was involved in answering the questions. According to him, the subjects ranged from crime statistics to police resources and police action levels. 

 

During the two and a half hours, they answered about 150 questions. Not all the answers were well-received.

 

“It was evident that, if we explained something, it was not always believed. We have no influence over that. We are just doing our job, and we will tell you what the situation appears to be from our perspective. Recipients then make their own interpretations,” said the police officer.

 

The debate remained, in Luotonen’s view, appropriate and only a few improper comments had to be removed. 

 

He believes the chat was necessary and thinks that similar events will be organised again.