Hätönen chosen Police Officer of the Year

Superintendent Sami Hätönen, who works at the Police University College, has been chosen as the Police Officer of the Year 2025 in Finland, said National Police Board in a press release on Wednesday.

The Police Officer of the Year is selected in co-operation between the Helsinki Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Finnish Police Union and the National Police Board.

This is an anniversary year, as the Police Officer of the Year was now chosen for the 50th time.

“Sami Hätönen’s ability to identify the right partners has led to the fact that it has been possible to introduce best practices into the operations of the Finnish police, and these practices have been transferred from the police to other authorities and partners,” the selection committee said.

Hätönen has developed the management of police operations and emergency response technology, such as the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, in police operations.

“Sami Hätönen has worked in a determined manner in developing the operations of the police in co-operation with other authorities and stakeholders. He has extensive networks both within Finland and internationally. This has been one of the grounds why Sami Hätönen is the Police Officer of the Year,” said Jonne Rinne, Chairperson of the Finnish Police Union.

This year, the theme of the Police Officer of the Year project was co-operation between authorities. The changed operating environment requires even closer co-operation between the security, health care and social welfare authorities and other parties in society.

Hätönen has nearly 28 years of very diverse experience in police surveillance and emergency duties and their development in various police units.

Hätönen is currently the Chief of the Competence in public order and security unit at the Police University College.

In his speech at the event, Sami emphasised that the development of operations has always been close to his heart. Even good things can be made better.