Finland Times

The Helsinki police are beginning a two-year programme aimed at getting more young immigrants to seek police training.

At the same time, the police want to dispel prejudices against immigrants.

The Helsinki police plan to offer work placements as well as summer jobs for young immigrants from secondary schools and higher education.

The deputy chief of Helsinki police, Ilkka Koskimäki told the Lännen Media that there is a great need for immigrant police officers in fieldwork.

The hope is that they will bring with them, among other things, cultural knowledge and language skills.

Currently, there are virtually no immigrants who seek out the police service.

Koskimäki stresses that the campaign however does not intend to favour those with immigrant backgrounds for the police academy entrance exams. “The requirements for application will not be compromised one bit.”