Ilkka Salmi set to be new director of Security Police

Experience in intelligence work deciding factor in selection

print this

Extensive experience in international intelligence work was the deciding factor in choosing 38-year-old Ilkka Salmi as the new director of Finland's Security Police (SUPO).
      The key ministers deciding on the matter agreed that Salmi would be named to the post on Thursday.
      Helsingin Sanomat has learned that Salmi was the favourite of both Interior Minister Anne Holmlund (Nat. Coalition Party) and Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre).
      The appointment will be discussed at a meeting of the government on Thursday, at which time Prime Minister Vanhanen is to give his support to Holmlund's proposal. The two main government parties, the Centre and the National Coalition, have agreed on the appointment.
     
A complicating factor in the process was that Salmi currently works as a special aide to Interior Minister Holmlund, causing some critics to see political machinations in the appointment.
      The choice ultimately boiled down to one between Ilkka Salmi and police director Kari Rantama. Both finalists took part in tests conducted by hiring consultants, and interviews headed by Supreme Police Commander Markku Salminen.
     
Salmi came out ahead because he has more extensive experience in international intelligence cooperation. Salmi has worked for five years in the Security Police.
      In his work he has established contacts especially in the Middle East, and with the security services of the Middle East and the world's Islamic countries, which is important in the prevention of terrorism. Counterterrorism has rapidly become the second important activity for SUPO.
      Salmi's appointment is expected to mean that SUPO is moving beyond the role of a traditional security police, and is increasingly developing into a modern security service.
     
In addition to formal competence, factors influencing the choice were leadership skills, visions on the future of SUPO, and a good media profile. Holmlund feels that SUPO should be more active in reacting to debate sparked by the media.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Interior Minister wary of publication of Security Police Stasi list (4.9.2007)
  COMMENTARY: Security Police stretch legal room to manoeuvre to extreme (25.8.2007)
  Debate over disclosure of Stasi material heats up as Security Police director resigns (30.7.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat