Police set up communication team to improve readiness

A national operative communication team has been established to improve communication with the media and public.

The police force responds to over a million calls each years, and responding to these calls is a visible part of police work which can raise questions and affect the overall feeling of safety, said the police in a press release.

The mission of the national operative communication team will be to support all police departments when they first release information about incidents.

"We want to improve our communication services particularly outside service hours and in situations in which life and health are in danger. Our aim is to start communications immediately when something surprising occurs, at any hour of the day or night," stated Chief of Communications Marko Luotonen from National Police Board.

The goal is to initiate communication immediately when something surprising happens. The need for information is at its peek during the first hours after the incident. The police tries to correct false information and rumours as far it is feasible within the law.

As a general rule, communication during incidents is concentrated on the official twitter accounts of police departments. Everyone can follow these accounts in their web browser. The police strives to offer reliable official information to all evenhandedly and without a delay. Communication can be initiated even when there is some information and more can be told as the situation progresses.

The operational communications team has operated in Helsinki for a year and a half. The aim is to make this service nationwide. The first stage of the expansion is piloted for a year.

"Operative police actions in a changing operational environment requires active leadership, creation of situational picture as well as real time communication," stated Superintendent Jussi Huhtela from Helsinki police department.