Hannele
Taavila
Police
Director
Ministry
of the Interior, Police Department
Finland
hannele.taavila@gov.fi
Traditionally, police authorities in the Nordic countries have worked together for decades and have a practical approach to collaboration in crime prevention. Nordic police cooperation is essentially based on international treaties, EU law and national legislation. The Nordic National Police Commissioners as well as their deputies meet regularly once a year to agree on strategic cooperation. These practices are well-established and structured. In addition, we also collaborate at the operational level by means of joint meetings and seminars. Thus, Nordic police cooperation is both effective and regular.
Finland and Sweden share a border, their national legislation is similar in many respects and historically the Swedish language has united our two countries. The organisational structures of the police in both countries are also much the same, and our security problems do not differ much either. However, in recent years Sweden has seen a significant increase in gang crime, which has exacerbated their internal security challenges. Hence, the current internal security situation in Finland differs from that in Sweden.
The Finnish-Swedish border region in the north is an exceptional cross-border area with a community structure that does not comply with national borders (Tornio-Haaparanta area). It is another prime example of collaborating more effectively, where cross-border interaction and cooperation in different areas of life is intense. Against this background, it is actually very clear that police cooperation between our countries is active. Due to the changing security environment, there is a desire to further intensify our collaborative efforts.
It is already possible for the Finnish and Swedish police, under certain conditions, to pursue a suspect across national land borders. Officers conducting the pursuit also have the right of detention. In addition, Finland and Sweden may organise joint operations to maintain public order and security and to combat crime, as well as other joint operations in which designated officers take part in operations on the territory of one or the other State. Furthermore, the competent authorities of our two countries may assist each other in major events, disasters and serious accidents. By informing each other as early as possible of situations with cross-border implications and by exchanging relevant information, the authorities seek to prevent crime and maintain public order and security. They also carry out and coordinate the necessary police actions on their territory in situations with cross-border implications and, as far as possible, send officers, experts and advisers and supply equipment at the request of the Member State on whose territory the situation has arisen. The Finnish and Swedish special intervention units (in Finland, the Special Police Task Force, known as KARHU) can provide assistance and/or operate in each other's territory in cases where one of them has made a request to do so. The Nordic countries also cooperate closely in utilising police and customs liaison officers sent abroad.
Deepening police cooperation between two countries has several objectives. Firstly, improving the exchange of information between the authorities of the two countries is key. Sharing information enables rapid and effective action to prevent and solve crimes. Secondly, introducing more possibilities for collaboration between police forces is an essential element of closer cooperation. For example, joint operations allow police officers to learn from each other's best practices, develop their professional skills and strengthen their expertise in different situations. This creates a foundation for a long-term partnership and synergies that benefit both countries. Thirdly, the use of technology is crucial in closer cooperation and one where Finland and Sweden could achieve more results by working together, for example in developing different innovative solutions.
The latest step in strengthening police cooperation is the ‘Agreement on Police Cooperation in the Border Area’, signed by the Finnish and Swedish Interior Ministers on 19 October 2021. The Agreement serves to strengthen the existing good cooperation between the Finnish and Swedish police, thereby improving the maintenance of public order and security and the prevention, detection and investigation of crime. The most significant change to current practice means that Finnish or Swedish police officers could cross national borders to carry out an urgent police task in either country without the situation having already arisen in the officers’ home country. Before the Agreement can be applied, each country must make the necessary changes to their national legislation and train the police officers involved. This will take some time.
Overall, closer police cooperation between Finland and Sweden is a meaningful step towards stronger and safer Nordic collaboration.