Retired officers and former criminals find success in true crime media in Finland

The rise in popularity of true crime has brought various former and current criminals into the spotlight, along with retired police officers who leverage their experiences in new roles. A look at last year’s tax data reveals the earnings of these individuals from books, podcasts, social media, TV, and streaming services.

Leading the list of former police officers in income is Kalevi “Kale” Puonti, a retired narcotics officer from Helsinki who earned over €113,000 in employment income and approximately €8,000 in capital income last year. Post-retirement, he has become a prolific author and journalist, with six published books, including one released last year. Puonti also hosts crime-related podcasts, makes speaking appearances, and serves as an expert in TV and film productions.

In second place is Mika “Immu” Ilmén, a former gang member turned entrepreneur and author, who earned over €112,000. Ilmén has written several books, the latest published in November last year, and produces crime and sports-themed podcasts alongside ex-police officer Kenneth Eriksson.

Harri Gustafsberg, a former operational leader of the national police readiness unit, reported over €17,000 in income from his ventures, alongside more than €36,000 in capital gains. Much of his income comes from his three companies, which saw significant profits last year.

Among those earning less than €50,000, retired crime officer Kenneth “Kentsu” Eriksson made nearly €48,500, boosted by about €1,900 in capital income. He has authored three crime-themed books and co-hosts a YouTube series. Notably, other figures like Janne Raninen, Lauri “Late” Johansson, and others featured in the report detailed their varied income levels, showcasing the influence of their pasts on their current pursuits.

Some, like Vartti Isberg and Milan Jaff, reported zero income, reflecting the complexity of their backgrounds. The data underscores a broad range of pathways taken by these individuals post-conviction or retirement, often leveraging their past experiences for new opportunities.