The proposal is aimed at saving cash and streamlining police resources. Under the plan, the number of police service units would be reduced from 24 to 11.
Implementation of the reforms would take place at the beginning of 2014. The working group says no redundancies will occur. The plan has been submitted to Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen.
Opposition from across the political spectrum has arisen to the working party's proposals. Parliamentarians from all parties fear abolition of the National Traffic Police will lead to a deterioration in road safety.
Taxi drivers oppose move
The Finnish Taxi Owners Federation has also expressed concern at the idea. It fears an increase in the number of drunken drivers on the roads if the National Traffic Police is abolished.
In the view of the Federation, technical surveillance is adequate only to determine cases of speeding but insufficient to reveal a driver’s road worthiness.
The Federation says local police cannot be required to have the same skills as a dedicated traffic police unit. It adds that the idea would lead to fewer patrols and an unbalanced treatment of motorists in different parts of the country.