Preventive Policing Unit

Preventive Policing Unit, Helsinki Police Department (a local police department/law enforcement authority)

Type of Organisation: Governmental institution

The Preventive Policing Unit of the Helsinki Police Department consists of 4 teams that use preventive measures on their respective fields. Some are focused on supporting children and youth involved in criminal activities and their families, some on youth gang related activities and EXIT -work and some on dealing with issues concerning honour-based violence. Much of the work aims to prevent polarisation and increase social cohesion.

One of the teams is specifically concentrated on preventing radicalisation and violent extremism on all aspects; radical Islam, far-right, far-left and environmental extremism.

This is done by building trust between the police and the citizens, especially people from communities of ethnic minorities and socially disadvantaged people. We also monitor phenomena and events that have an impact on the political climate.

Community engagement and recognition and participation of key persons of said communities are some of the most valuable tools in use. This work is done in cooperation with social workers and a psychiatric nurse that are included in our multi-professional team, "the Anchor". We also follow statistics on related crimes, such as hate-crimes.

Address

Pasilanraitio 11
00240 Helsinki
Finland

P.O. Box 11
FI-00241 Helsinki
Finland

Contact person: Superintendent Jari Taponen,
Head of the unit
Telephone: (+358) 295 474 303
jari [dot] taponenpoliisi [dot] fi (Email) | Website