Adoption: 23 March 2018 Public Publication: 27 March 2018 GrecoEval5Rep(2017)3 FIFTH EVALUATION ROUND Preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies EVALUATION REPORT FINLAND Adopted by GRECO at its 79th Plenary Meeting (Strasbourg, 19-23 March 2018) TABLE OF CONTENTS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................4 II. INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................6 III. CONTEXT ................................................................................................................................................7 Status and remuneration of persons with top executive functions..............................................................11 Anticorruption and integrity policy, regulatory and institutional framework..............................................13 Ethical principles and rules of conduct .........................................................................................................14 Awareness ....................................................................................................................................................14 TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT OF EXECUTIVE ACTIVITIES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.........................................................17 Access to information...................................................................................................................................17 Transparency of the law-making process.....................................................................................................18 Third parties and lobbyists ...........................................................................................................................19 Control mechanisms.....................................................................................................................................20 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ..........................................................................................................................................20 PROHIBITION OR RESTRICTION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES....................................................................................................21 Incompatibilities, outside activities and financial interests..........................................................................21 Contracts with state authorities...................................................................................................................22 Gifts..............................................................................................................................................................22 Misuse of public resources ...........................................................................................................................23 Misuse of confidential information ..............................................................................................................23 Post-employment restrictions ......................................................................................................................23 DECLARATION OF ASSETS, INCOME, LIABILITIES AND INTERESTS........................................................................................26 Declaration/disclosure requirements ...........................................................................................................26 Review mechanisms .....................................................................................................................................29 ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS .....................................................................................................29 Non-criminal accountability mechanisms ....................................................................................................29 Criminal proceedings and immunities ..........................................................................................................30 V. CORRUPTION PREVENTION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES .............................................................32 ORGANISATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT/POLICE AUTHORITIES...........................................................32 Overview of various law enforcement authorities .......................................................................................32 Access to information...................................................................................................................................33 Public trust in law enforcement authorities .................................................................................................34 Trade unions and professional organisations...............................................................................................34 ANTICORRUPTION AND INTEGRITY POLICY....................................................................................................................34 Policy, planning and institutionalised mechanisms for implementation......................................................34 Code of ethics ...............................................................................................................................................35 Risk management measures for corruption prone areas .............................................................................35 Handling undercover operations and contacts with informants and witnesses ..........................................35 Advice, training and awareness ...................................................................................................................36 RECRUITMENT, CAREER AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE....................................................................................................38 Recruitment requirements and appointment procedure..............................................................................38 Performance evaluation and promotion to a higher rank, transfers and termination of service.................39 Salaries and benefits ....................................................................................................................................40 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ..........................................................................................................................................40 PROHIBITION OR RESTRICTION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES....................................................................................................40 Incompatibilities, outside activities and financial interests, post-employment restrictions.........................40 Gifts..............................................................................................................................................................42 Misuse of public resources ...........................................................................................................................42 Misuse of confidential information ..............................................................................................................43 DECLARATION OF ASSETS, INCOME, LIABILITIES AND INTERESTS........................................................................................43 Disclosure requirements...............................................................................................................................43 Review mechanisms .....................................................................................................................................43 INTERNAL OVERSIGHT MECHANISMS...........................................................................................................................44 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS AND WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION.........................................................................................45 REMEDY PROCEDURES FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC ..........................................................................................................46 2 Administrative internal complaint procedure ..............................................................................................46 External complaints’ mechanisms................................................................................................................47 ENFORCEMENT AND SANCTIONS................................................................................................................................47 Disciplinary procedure..................................................................................................................................47 Criminal procedure.......................................................................................................................................48 Statistics .......................................................................................................................................................48 VI. RECOMMENDATIONS AND FOLLOW-UP................................................................................................50 3 I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. This report evaluates the effectiveness of the framework in place in Finland to prevent corruption amongst persons with top executive functions (ministers and senior government officials) and members of law enforcement agencies (more specifically, the Police and Border Guard). It aims at supporting the on-going reflection