Top police brass had advance knowledge of criminal investigation into drug squad activities

Markku Salminen, Rauno Ranta and Jukka Riikonen

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Helsingin Sanomat has learned that he highest-ranking police commanders in Finland had advance knowledge of a planned criminal investigation into the activities of the Helsinki drug police, and that the top brass gave their approval to the investigation.
     The police leadership held a discussion with the commander of the Helsinki police force in October 2007 in which the participants examined evidence that had been collected against the drug squad.
     Taking part in the gathering were National Police Commissioner Markku Salminen, Helsinki Police Commander Jukka Riikonen, and Rauno Ranta, commander of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
      Helsingin Sanomat learned that Riikonen emphasised that members of the drug police should also be heard in connection with the investigation, which is one of the most basic practices of law enforcement. The drug police who are under investigation, say that no such discussions have taken place.
     After the meeting, material gathered in the internal investigation was sent to State Prosecutor Ari-Pekka Koivisto for assessment.
     
On the basis of this material, Koivisto announced in December 2007 that seven members of the Helsinki drug police were under suspicion of committing crimes while on duty.
     Koivisto informed the lawyer of Chief Inspector Jari Aarnio of the Helsinki drug police about the matter. The lawyer was also asked to instruct Aarnio to inform the other members of the squad about the decision to launch an investigation.
     The investigation was carried out by three police inspectors of the Police Department of the Ministry of the Interior in the spring and autumn of 2007.
     The investigators collected oral accounts about the activities of the Helsinki drug police in about ten police precincts.
     However, already in February 2007 the matter was being prepared at the main section of the National Bureau of Investigation. At that time NBI regional deputy chief Tero Kurenmaa gave material on the matter to his subordinates, which was later sent to the Supreme Police Command.
     
The methods used in the acquisition of material used by the police leadership has later been severely criticised.
     Much of the criticism involves allegations that the internal legality control of the police has been confused with criminal investigations.
     Already in March Aarnio and deputy police chief Jari Liukku submitted a request to the Chancellor of Justice to investigate the procedure, which they say could even prove to be illegal.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Helsinki police commander demands immediate launch of investigation into drug police activities (17.12.2007)
  Drug squad members suspect "informers" were from national police unit (19.12.2007)
  Interior Ministry and police administration deny drug squad claims of persecution (11.12.2007)
  Command of Helsinki police drugs unit split in two (11.1.2008)
  Crime suspect Jari Aarnio claims he is still head of Helsinki drug police (10.1.2008)

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