There is little research-based information available in Finland and around the world on how criminals seek to unlawfully influence the authorities. Inappropriate attempts to exert influence include threats, violence, bribery, extortion and pressure on public officials themselves, their close relatives or their property.
Inappropriate influence on the authorities was brought up in the working group discussions on updating Finland's strategy to combat organised crime, so it was decided to investigate the matter and intervene if necessary. In the Finnish strategy and action plan for combating organised crime adopted by the government, measure 13 promoting its objectives is: “Inappropriate influence and prevention against the authorities will be investigated.” Any needs for change arising from this report will be assessed.
Funding for this study was received from the Nordic Council of Ministers and was motivated by a joint Nordic study on the topic. The project was coordinated by the Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy (KRIMO) with support from the Police University College in Finland. I would like to publicly thank them for the good work done to investigate this difficult problem.
Mika Junninen
Senior Advisor, Ministry of Justice, Finland
Chair of the steering group