Police use of force has increased in Finland
The number of situations involving the use of force by the Finnish police has increased significantly over the past year. According to recent statistics, the police had to prepare for or use force considerably more often than before.
In 2024, the police used force or prepared to use it in just under 17,000 cases. During 2025, the number of similar cases rose to over 18,500. The figures show a clear increase in the challenging situations faced by the authorities.
Use of force refers to situations where the police must use physical means or equipment to control a person or de-escalate a situation. This can include, for example, drawing force-related equipment or performing a physical apprehension.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, as the increase in the use of force reflects changes in the daily work of the police. Currently, the police are analyzing the reasons for the increased figures so that safety can be further improved in all situations.