Protecting ministers is commonplace, says the head of security in the Government Council. Police officers secured Minister Kaisa Juuso‘s (retired) visit to Kemi.
The police secured the Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juusoa (ps.) when he encountered an angry crowd during his visit to Kemin.
The locals there are upset with the showwhere the operation of the Central Hospital of Western North is planned to be reduced and the services to be concentrated in Rovaniemi. Juuso thought the intensity of the anger was special.
– It’s pretty amazing that I have to have three policemen protecting me in my home area, Juuso said at a public meeting at Kemi’s cultural center on Sunday.
The presence of the police during the minister’s visit was actually not at all miraculous, but commonplace. This is what the Prime Minister’s Director of Security says Ahti Kurvinen.
– This minister Juuso’s provincial tour had completely normal procedures. The events went somewhat as we expected. A normal weekend from this point of view, describes Kurvinen.
Kurvinen answered Yle’s questions about protecting ministers.
How often do ministers need to be protected?
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– The main rule is that we have personal protection on site at public events. This is normal daily and weekly work.
Who decides how to protect the minister?
– In practice, it is the responsibility of the signatory. We have a “conclave” where threat assessment and risk assessment are made. Based on them, we make a decision on the level of personal protection for each minister in each situation.
– Plans are made well in advance. We get information about ministers’ schedules from the ministers’ cabinets, and we make estimates based on them.
Who are the people protecting the ministers?
– All personal protection tasks of the Government are with the police, and the Helsinki Police Department is responsible for them. In addition to the police, other security arrangements are used. Sometimes they are visible, sometimes less so.
Has the need for protection increased?
– The number of threats has been increasing, especially on social media. Of course, it affects the fact that the need for personal protection also increases.
Is more protection needed when the actions of the government arouse a lot of anger?
– Of course it affects. Even the opinions are known in advance and naturally they are taken into account.
Minister Juuso refused Yle’s interview request.
