The ombudsman inspected the private security sector and its oversight 

On the order of Parliamentary Ombudsman Petri Jääskeläinen, the Office's legal advisers have carried out inspections at private security offices. 
In November last year, security activities were inspected on a passenger car ferry Baltic Princess. Inspection 6559/2022 led to several further investigations (see our press release on 21 March 2023). 

In March 2023, security activities were inspected at the Kamppi Shopping Centre (Securitas Oy, 1488/2023) and at Helsinki Central Railway Station (Avarn Security Oy, 1974/2023). The Ombudsman drew the attention of both companies to the careful recording of incident notifications. He also stated that even though security stewards have the right of apprehension, they do not have the right to detention. Although no prohibited detentions were discovered, the Ombudsman emphasised that placing an apprehended person in a closed space alone can be done only under absolutely compelling circumstances, for example as justifiable self-defence. He also stressed the importance of self-monitoring by companies.    

In May, the legal advisers of the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman inspected the private security supervision unit of the National Police Board in Mikkeli. Supervision of the sector was also highlighted in June during an inspection to the Southeast Finland Police Department. 

The full minutes  6559/2022, 1488/2023 and 1974/2023 have been published (in Finnish) at the Ombudsman’s website www.oikeusasiamies.fi

Further information is available from Principal Legal Adviser Juha Haapamäki, tel. +358 9 432 3334.