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  • FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible for an immigrant to apply for police training in Finland?

An immigrant can be accepted for police training in Finland, if she or he meets the Application Requirements for the Diploma in Police Studies. All applicants meeting the requirements take the entrance exam. Students are selected by the points given in the exam. Applicants ethnic background is irrelevant.

The application requirements include Finnish citizenship. The applicant must also master the teaching language, ie. Finnish or Swedish. More information on acquiring citizenship can be obtained from the Finnish Immigration Service.

Can a person who has qualified as a police officer in another country work as a police officer in Finland?
 
Finnish police training is not directly equivalent to training received in other countries. The Police College of Finland offers supplementary training for those persons who have taken a qualification equivalent to the Diploma in Police Studies in another EU country.

The duration of the supplementary studies depends on the person’s previous training and work background. Those selected for training must, in addition to previous studies and work experience, also possess Finnish citizenship. This is because only Finnish citizens can be appointed to police posts in Finland. Depending on the post concerned, a certain knowledge of Finnish and Swedish is also required (no Finnish skills are required in the Province of Åland). The person receiving supplementary training will work in the Finnish police during the adjustment period.

The application for supplementary training must be submitted to the Finnish National Board of Education, which will determine the need for supplementary training on the basis of an opinion issued by the Police College of Finland.