Helsinki police broke the law by failing to record death threats

Helsinki police broke the law by failing to record a report of death threats, and did not recognise possible violence within a close relationship, Parliamentary Ombudsman Jari Råman has found, Yle reports.

The complainant went to Pasila police station after receiving messages threatening to kill them from a brother who lives abroad. The complainant said police told them there was no need to file a criminal report and that police could not intervene because the brother lived outside Finland.

Police said the complainant had not asked to file a report. The complainant filed one the following day with the Eastern Uusimaa Police Department.

Råman said police must record reports of suspected crimes or events, even when a case appears unclear or difficult to investigate. Recording a report and deciding whether to begin a preliminary investigation are separate steps.

The ombudsman also said police apparently failed to recognise that the case could involve violence in a close relationship. He noted that victims may not realise they are victims, giving police an increased responsibility to identify such situations.

The accounts given by the complainant and police differed on what advice was provided. However, Råman found that guidance on support services did not appear to comply fully with the law and police instructions. He also criticised the police department’s handling of the administrative complaint, saying its decision was not properly reasoned.