The implementation of the new Public Order Act by the Finnish police

In this presentation I discuss the preliminary results of a police survey about the Public Order Act. As of 1 October 2003, the public order ordinance has been the same throughout the country. Previously, no Public Order Act was in force in Finland. A wide variety of local government ordinances were observed instead. The new Public Order Act strives to promote order and security in public places.

The Public Order Act applies to places designated for public use, regardless of the ownership. Such places are for example streets and roads, pavements, market squares, parks, beaches, sports fields, cemeteries, means of public transport and restaurants. Under the Public Order Act it is forbidden to disturb public order or to endanger public security by making noise or behaving in a similar manner. It is also forbidden to use intoxicating substances in built-up areas and on public transport. The ban on drinking alcohol doesn't apply to drinking in parks or any similar public places. Under the Public Order Act order supervision personnel employed by guarding services suppliers can be appointed to carry out assignments at shopping centres, public transport stations and on public transport in order to assist the police in maintaining order and security.

The survey was designated for Finnish policemen in the beginning of the year 2006. The questionnaire was placed in the police intranet and a request to answer it was sent via e-mail to selected (N=3348) policemen. The aim of the research is to study whether the new Public Order Act has had any effect on the policing practices. Also the general opinion of policemen on public order and its violations was in focus. Citizens’ opinions on public order and the Public Order Act will be studied next in this project.