Police officer
The police is tasked with ensuring the safety of people and the environment in all situations and at all times. The police seeks to prevent crime and investigate offences and brings them to the consideration of charges. Police officers work in the police organisation under the Ministry of the Interior. Recently graduated police officers usually carry out patrol and emergency tasks, or work in basic crime prevention. Police officers can, for example, work as detectives or forensic analysts, run command training centres, plan other officers’ shifts, or coordinate permits and licences. After gaining experience, police officers can work as a commander or in a managerial role. The diverse tasks of police officers require broad skills, ranging from interaction to legislation.
Police officers work in the police organisation at a police department or in a national unit.
Police officers require the ability to show judgement and be consistent. It is also important that police officers are able to take initiative, make rapid observations, stay alert and have a good memory. When working with people, police officers need customer service, negotiation and conciliation skills, fairness and courage. Smooth cooperation with colleagues, knowing the ways of the colleague, and distributing tasks clearly are important traits.
Especially in crisis situations, the ability to face people during difficult times is important. During disasters, police officers need to administer first aid and calm other people. Police officers must know how to act in demanding situations under their managers’ supervision. Special situations require absolute discipline and loyalty in the organisation.
Reporting, investigations and communication require good written and verbal communication skills. Police officers must be able to give reasons for their instructions and orders. Communication must flow smoothly, and be clear and to the point. Criminal investigations highlight creative and logical thinking, deduction and persistence.
Administering first aid is one of police officers’ basic skills. Internationalisation has increased linguistic requirements. Police officers also need IT skills.
A good physical condition and stamina are absolute requirements. Even though talking is the most important tool of police officers, force is also required from time to time. Police officers must be in a good state of health.
Unpredictable situations require the ability to withstand stress.
Police officers are trained at Police University College by completing the bachelor’s degree in police services. Studies include a paid training period of roughly a year at a police department. After completing the bachelor’s degree in police services, graduates can work in various positions, including as a senior constable.
After completing the bachelor’s degree and gaining experience, police officers can apply for various postgraduate and continuing studies. These include the master’s degree in police services, after which graduates can work in commanding positions, including a chief inspector and superintendent.
Police University College also provides continuing education.
The bachelor’s degree in police services allows police officers to work as a senior constable.
Only Finnish nationals can be appointed to the position of a police officer.
Requirements for linguistic skills are set out in the Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003). It is supplemented by the Government Decree on the Demonstration of Proficiency in the Finnish and Swedish Languages in the Civil Service (481/2003). Government employees who are required to have completed an academic degree are required to have excellent oral and written skills in the majority language of the bilingual area in which they are stationed and satisfactory oral and written skills in the second language. In a monolingual area, government employees are required to have excellent oral and written skills in the official language and satisfactory skills in understanding the second language.
Median salary
3401 €/mo
The data is based on the median income, meaning the amount of salary which is the middle of the salary amounts arranged in order of magnitude.
Source: Statistics Finland's structural statistics on wages and salaries