Drunk Driving Fine Controversy: Police Board Rejects Police Explanation for MP Räsänen's Low Penalty

A controversy surrounding a drunk driving fine issued to Finnish Member of Parliament Joona Räsänen has escalated, with the National Police Board rejecting the explanation offered by the police. The issue centers on the unusually low fine Räsänen received after being caught driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.68 per mille in April.

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The police cannot, under their discretionary power, intentionally propose an income estimate for a fine that is not based on the penalized person's previous or current income.

Reports indicate that the police, specifically the Länsi-Uusimaa police department, proposed an income figure for Räsänen that was significantly lower than his actual earnings. Räsänen, who is a second-term MP and close to the Social Democratic Party's leader, accepted the proposed fine of 2,240 euros and a 60-euro crime victim fee without challenging the income basis. His net monthly income has previously been reported between 5,000 and 6,000 euros, and he indicated that his income had grown since then.

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He asked if it sounded right. And I said, I have no objection.

The Länsi-Uusimaa police stated they do not suspect Räsänen of misleading them and described him as cooperative. However, they justified the fine proposal by citing "police discretion." This explanation has been firmly rejected by the National Police Board. Police Commissioner Hannu Kontola of Länsi-Uusimaa police admitted that while tax data is the primary source for income, fines are rarely based solely on it, often involving discussion and negotiation to determine a "suitable" amount.

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There is no reason to suspect that he himself lied about his income. Rather, quite the opposite. He has been very cooperative and told things as they are and admitted everything.

Konsta Arvelin, a police inspector at the National Police Board, stated that the police cannot, under their discretionary power, intentionally propose an income estimate for a fine that is not based on the penalized person's previous or current income. The Board's stance is unequivocal: such a practice is not permissible. The case raises questions about the transparency and fairness of the fine calculation process within the Finnish police force.

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It is based, as I said, on the police's own discretion when considering what amount to set as the daily fine amount related to this income.