New rules to allow police on undercover assignments to cross European borders
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A recently passed European Union treaty allows armed Finnish police to take part in undercover operations in another member state.
The same agreement also allows armed foreign police to take part in the same missions in Finland.
Undercover police work involves a situation in which police officers infiltrate suspected criminal gangs to get information that can be later used in court.
The Police Department of the Ministry of the Interior does not think that Finnish undercover officers would be have to travel abroad very often during a mission. However, it could prove to be useful in individual cases.
Supporters of the agreement point out that crime is becoming more international in nature.
"It is not possible to stop an undercover operation that has been going on for a year just because the criminals come to visit Finland", explains Robin Lardot of the Ministry of the Interior.
The right to carry a weapon is seen as important for reasons of safety. However, an undercover police officer operating outside his or her own country would primarily focus on gathering information, and would not have the rights of a police officer in the foreign country.
Under present legislation, Finnish undercover police are not allowed to actually take part in criminal activity. A joint working group of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice is examining the issue, and is expected to express its views on the matter later in the spring.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 15.3.2005 - TODAY |
 New rules to allow police on undercover assignments to cross European borders |
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