Pubdate: Mon, 10 Dec 2007
Source: Helsingin Sanomat International Edition (Finland)
Copyright: 2007, Helsingin Sanomat
Contact:  http://www.helsinki-hs.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1158

DRUG POLICE SICK-LEAVES ENCUMBER INVESTIGATIONS OF SERIOUS DRUG CRIMES

More Than Half of Helsinki Drug Squad Call in Sick As Prosecutors 
Investigate Tactics

Nearly half of the criminal investigators of the Helsinki police drug 
crimes unit took sick-leave on Friday. Nearly all of those involved 
are experienced drug crime investigators, says Chief Inspector Jari 
Aarnio of the Helsinki drug police.

Aarnio fears that the mass sick-out could significantly hamper the 
investigation of serious drugs cases.

Before the sudden bouts of illness, the drug police had been informed 
by State Prosecutor Ari-Pekka Koivisto that a decision would be 
coming soon on whether or not there is reason to suspect illegal 
activities among the drug police.

Koivisto has been assessing a report drawn up by the Police 
Department of the Ministry of the Interior on certain methods used by 
the Helsinki drug police. Last spring suspicions were aroused that 
the police had established excessively cosy relations with certain 
criminal elements.

Suspicions are that drug police have agreed to overlook crimes 
committed by those in the criminal underground giving tipoffs in 
drugs cases. The issue was first raised about three weeks ago by the 
television network Nelonen, or Channel Four.

The prosecutor must decide if there is reason to suspect that some 
police officers may have committed a crime.

Koivisto said that he would make his decision on Monday.

According to information received by Helsingin Sanomat, a criminal 
investigation is planned concerning the activities of about half a 
dozen police officers.

Aarnio would not confirm the information, but he said that he expects 
that there will be an investigation. "I can draw that conclusion 
based on rather extensive police experience."

In his view, it would be in the interest of the drug police if a 
preliminary investigation were launched. He also said that in his 
view, the accusations are without foundation.

"It is interesting that after very successfully investigating cases 
of core figures in organised crime for a year and a half now, for 
some reason someone wants us out of the game. Naturally it concerns 
us very much who this might be."

Aarnio says that the accusations have been a burden on the drug police.

On Friday about 20 investigators announced that they were going on 
sick-leave. The Helsinki drug police have about 35 investigators.

Kimmo Hakonen, director of police activities at the Ministry of the 
Interior, did not want to comment on the matter. 
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