07.09.2021
Regional IP Regional Assemblys: Police operations must be safeguarded in sparsely populated areas
The Regional Assemblys of Eastern and Northern Finland require that an adequate funding intended to be permanent in the future be allocated to the state budget for 2022 for the activities of the police in sparsely populated areas. The 2022 draft budget puts the police in jeopardy in sparsely populated areas.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, next year's budget framework will no longer be sufficient to maintain the current level of police activity, and in cooperation without a significant increase, the police will have to significantly adjust their activities. This would mean significant personnel reductions and a drop in service levels, especially in the sparsely populated areas of Eastern and Northern Finland.
The police received funding of EUR 4.1 million for the current year, which finally succeeded in increasing the number of police officers in sparsely populated areas. The same funding was also used to set up a group specialising in the fight against trafficking in human beings and to step up the fight against cybercrime. Thanks to the funding, the necessary 30 new posts were allocated to sparsely populated areas. These posts are now in jeopardy.
The presence of police officers throughout the country is important and concerns about this are greatest in sparsely populated areas. The police protect the legal and social order throughout the country, maintain public order and security, and prevent, detect and investigate crimes. Especially in sparsely populated areas, the police are a key player whose cooperation in cooperation with communities and residents is essential.
Help is essential when the need is greatest. Police services must not deteriorate further in sparsely populated areas. It must be fair throughout the country. The actual daily police work and visibility of the police can no longer be reduced in cooperation without weakening the sense of security of the inhabitants of sparsely populated areas.
In sparsely populated areas, sufficient resources must be allocated and the necessary police posts allocated, the number of posts must be at least at the level of 2021. There is a need to make the allocated budget permanent, and the security of the inhabitants of sparsely populated areas cannot be at the mercy of the annual budget debate.
APPLICATIONS FOR EAST AND NORTH COUNTRIES
