Relative raised concerns before Espoo police used electroshock weapon

Yle reports that a man with an intellectual disability died after police used an electroshock weapon at a Rinnekoti residential unit in Espoo. A close relative had raised concerns about his condition hours before the police intervention.

The approximately 50-year-old man lived at Rinnekoti’s residential unit in Lakisto, Espoo. He had behaved unusually and spoken incoherently during a phone call with his relative, who said he did not appear aggressive.

The relative said they contacted Rinnekoti on Friday afternoon, several hours before police were called, and expressed concern about the man’s condition. According to the relative, staff promised to monitor him.

Police later used an electroshock weapon when the man behaved aggressively. The relative believes there was a delay in getting him help.

“I believe there was a delay and that he did not receive help early enough,” the relative told Yle.

The relative was informed about the incident on Saturday, when a doctor called and said the man’s injuries after the use of the electroshock weapon were very serious. The man later died in hospital.

The relative also questioned the police response, saying officers knew they were being called to a unit for people with intellectual disabilities.

“You would think they would know that not all people with intellectual disabilities can withstand an electroshock weapon,” the relative said.

Police had visited the unit the previous day

Police have not yet given a detailed account of what happened. They had already visited the Lakisto unit on Thursday after staff reported a person behaving aggressively. That situation was brought under control.

Staff called the emergency services again on Friday because the same person was behaving aggressively. The behaviour continued when the police patrol arrived, and officers eventually used an electroshock weapon.

The police crimes unit at the Office of the Prosecutor General is assessing whether to open a preliminary investigation into the actions of the officer who used the weapon. A decision is expected in the coming days.

Yle is not publishing the names of the man or his relative because the report concerns health information.

Advocacy group calls for better training

Susanna Rieppo, an advocacy specialist at the Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, described the incident as highly unusual and tragic for the man’s relatives and everyone involved.

She did not comment specifically on the Espoo case, but said it was important to establish how the situation had developed, both in relation to the police and to the services involved.

According to Rieppo, more expertise is needed when encountering people with intellectual disabilities, particularly in challenging situations. This includes skills in interaction and communication, as well as understanding mental health issues related to intellectual disabilities and the need for multidisciplinary support.

She also said that practices, housing arrangements and services should be developed to prevent situations involving challenging behaviour.

Aggressive behaviour can result from many causes, including pain, fear, stress or difficulties with communication and interaction, Rieppo said. Difficulties expressing oneself, combined with a lack of means among staff or other support providers to understand the person, can lead to frustration, fear and stress.

The environment can also cause strain and lead to challenging behaviour. In difficult situations, a person may also face demands that exceed their ability to cope at that moment.

Rieppo said aggressive behaviour can be prevented by supporting a person’s right to self-determination and ensuring that their needs can be met and that they are understood in everyday life.