Seventeen individuals die in police custody this year in Lahti, Finland

Seventeen individuals have died in police custody so far this year, with a recent case occurring on October 1, when a 25-year-old man died in a police cell in Lahti. According to statistics from the National Prosecutor’s Office, a total of 58 deaths in custody were recorded over the previous five years. The Police Authority aims to reduce these incidents by preparing new guidelines for police monitoring in detention facilities.

These guidelines are expected to be finalized by the end of the year, as stated by Police Inspector Konsta Arvelin. Before implementation, the guidelines will undergo a consultation phase within police departments and require internal approval. Hence, the exact date for the rollout of the new regulations remains uncertain.

Substance abuse plays a significant role in custodial deaths, with a study from 2019 indicating that drugs or alcohol contributed to over half of these fatalities. Custodial deaths are defined as those occurring in police custody, during transport by police, or en route to a hospital.

Monitoring protocols for detainees vary, with the primary method being personal checks to ensure the individual’s well-being. However, the frequency of these checks is still under discussion, and not all detainees may receive the same level of scrutiny.

While some monitoring may be conducted via technology, such as internal surveillance systems, Arvelin notes that these do not replace direct supervision. The police have the authority to intensively monitor individuals deemed at high risk and notify healthcare providers as needed.

Police in the Hämeenlinna area are responsible for transporting intoxicated individuals to treatment centers or police facilities, with officials noting a decrease in intoxication-related arrests overall, despite a spike during busy weekends.