Police push mopedist off road, sparking harsh criticism

A police officer in southern Finland faces scrutiny after forcing a speeding 15-year-old mopedist off the road, an incident captured on video that has ignited public criticism. The mopedist suffered serious injuries, including five broken hand bones and a fractured foot, and is scheduled for surgery this week.

The incident occurred in Tuusula, north of Helsinki, after the teenager participated in a moped gathering and was pursued by police for speeding. When the mopedist failed to stop, the officer intentionally drove the police car to push the moped off the road, causing the rider to fall into a ditch and hit a fence.

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We are investigating whether the police officer acted in accordance with the law and police guidelines.

Initial police reports indicated only minor injuries, but the teenager's account to Helsingin Sanomat revealed the extent of his fractures. Videos of the incident have circulated widely on social media, fueling public outrage. The police have been tight-lipped, citing ongoing investigations into both the officer's and the mopedist's actions.

District Prosecutor Heli Haapalehto stated that the investigation aims to determine if the officer acted in accordance with the law and police guidelines. Meanwhile, Iltasanomat revealed that the officer in question received the lowest possible passing grade on her driving test during her police academy exams in 2021. The investigation into the mopedist's actions, led by Detective Inspector Juha Åkerman, considers the high speed as the primary factor, potentially meeting the criteria for gross endangerment of traffic safety.

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The mopedist's high speed was the triggering factor. We assess that it meets the criteria for gross endangerment of traffic safety, which is the criminal classification.