A police officer died by suicide while working as a security guard at the temporary official residence of President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki, according to commercial broadcaster MTV.
The outlet reported on Friday that Stubb and his family were at the Munkkiniemi district residence that weekend in November, when an on-duty security guard shot himself with a shotgun in the building's basement. Other guards found the officer's body.
Stubb was informed immediately about the matter, and met with staff at the Presidential Palace early the following week to discuss the incident.
Yle requested a comment from Stubb and the president's office, and received a reply by email.
"The security of the President of the Republic is ensured in all situations. The President's security guard detail is employed by the Helsinki Police Department. The Helsinki Police Department is responsible for communications concerning its personnel," the email stated.
Eastern Uusimaa PD investigated
In a press release, the Eastern Uusimaa Police Department said that officers began working on a cause of death investigation related to an incident in Munkkiniemi on Sunday 3 November, 2024.
The department said they took on the case because it concerned a Helsinki Police employee.
"The incident is not related to the person's work duties at the Helsinki Police Department, and no crime took place. Since it is a cause of death investigation, the police will not provide any further information about the matter," the press release stated.
Detective Inspector Josefiina Hiltunen said she would neither confirm nor deny whether the investigation concerned the incident at the president's residence.
Death at National Police Board offices
MTV also reported about another police officer's suicide that took place earlier this week at the National Police Board's offices in Otaniemi, Espoo.
In a press release, the Western Uusimaa Police Department said it was investigating the death of a person who worked for the police, in an incident that took place at the Police Board's offices in Espoo on Tuesday 4 February.
The department said police were notified about the incident at around 7:30am that day.
Four officers lost last year
The National Police Board's human resources chief, Satu Koivu, said the agency does not comment about individual suicides.
However, Koivu said that four police officers had taken their own lives last year.
She emphasised that every suicide is a human tragedy that not only affects victims, but also their colleagues and their families.
Koivu further noted that police departments offer various forms of support for employees who have been affected by such tragedies.
If you, or someone you know, are having suicidal thoughts, there is help available. In urgent situations you can always call emergency services at 112, the Medical Helpline at 116117, or seek assistance from a hospital's emergency room.
MIELI Mental Health Finland also provides crisis assistance in English for limited hours on Fridays (9am-1pm), their phone number is 09 2525 0116. MIELI also offers help in Finnish (09 2525 0111) and Swedish (09 2525 0112).