Finland Times

In an interview with the Finnish language weekly Suomen Kuvalehti, Orpo said the statement made by the police and National Police Commissioner Seppo Kolehmainen left room for interpretation.

According to the police, the statement was not successful, since the aim was to emphasise policing. In reference to the street patrols, the police commissioner in the statement said such voluntary of work is encouraged.

Kolehmainen’s statement was criticised widely in the social media.

Orpo said the street patrol is characterised by features that do not enhance security at all.

The interior minister also pointed out that the jurisdiction of policing in the country is indisputably in the hands of the authorities.

The Finnish security police (supo) are also concerned with the increase in street patrols.

Supo’s chief of communications Jyri Rantala told the news agency STT that patrols can distort the image of the security situation in the country.

The security police monitor extremists’ activities and possible threats to the security.

Rantala pointed out that at least in a few cases, there was indication that the street patrols had links with xenophobic extremism.

“As a result, this kind of the so-called street patrols which is now in the public does not necessarily increase security,” said Rantala.

Rantala emphasised that the role of maintaining public order and ensuring safety in the society lies primarily with the authorities.

“According to our evaluation, this type of informal spontaneous patrolling by parties distorts the general security situation in the country,” Rantala added.

It calls into question the authorities’ ability to take care of the statutory task of maintaining public law and order.