Helsinki police detective under investigation after threatening to shoot supervisors

A Helsinki Police Department detective inspector is under scrutiny after allegedly threatening to shoot two supervisors, leading to the confiscation of her service weapon and a criminal investigation, Yle reports.

The incident began in April 2025 within the department’s violent crime unit, known as the “murder group,” which handles serious and complex criminal cases. The detective inspector, a woman in her fifties, had requested a day off but was later informed by email that staffing issues prevented it.

After receiving the email, loud swearing was heard from her office. When a subordinate entered to seek guidance on a detained suspect, the inspector reportedly said, “I don’t know which one of them I’d shoot first,” referring to her two supervisors. The subordinate did not believe she intended actual violence but was concerned about her mental state.

A second officer who confronted her about the comment received a similar response. Both subordinates reported the incident, prompting the assistant police chief to confiscate her service weapon. An internal disciplinary process and a preliminary investigation into breach of official duty and illegal threats followed.

The two supervisors, who were the targets of the threat, declined to press charges, stating they did not believe she would act on her words. The prosecutor ultimately dropped the case in September 2025, citing the minor nature of the offense.

The detective inspector, who had led multiple high-profile investigations, later apologized for her behavior. Subordinates had previously raised concerns about her workload and decision-making, including sending work emails late at night.

The police department adjusted her duties and issued a formal written warning.