The concepts described on these pages are words and expressions used in statistics with a specific, limited meaning. In everyday speech the word may have a different meaning. In connection with each definition you can find information about which sets of statistics use the concept.

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Coercive measure

Coercive measures are often divided into three groups: those against a person, those against property and coercive measures ordered by a court of justice. Coercive measures ordered by a court of justice are indicated in the statistics by the letter O after the acronym of the coercive measure. Telecommunications interception, traffic data monitoring and technical surveillance (Section 5a of the Coercive Measures Act 646/2003) are not included in these statistics.
Some of the cases entered in statistics as coercive measures, such as restraining orders and business prohibitions are of the warrant-type (warrants of apprehension), which lead to actions, should they be violated.
Coercive measures are provided for in the Coercive Measures Act (806/2011). In addition, apprehension is provided for in the Police Act (so-called apprehension based on the Police Act). Coercive measures against foreign nationals in special circumstances (e.g. formalities in connection with entry into the country or refugee status) are provided for in the Aliens Act.
The grounds for the coercive measure, the legal general grounds for the coercive measure (one or more) are recorded in the coercive measure decision.
Coercive measures against a person's liberty may also rest on special grounds (one or more). One typical instance of special grounds is that there is reason to fear that the person suspected of being guilty absconds.
Statistics Finland does not compile statistics on covert coercive measures, such as coercive measures affecting telecommunications or coercive measures of the surveillance type.



Statistics using the definition

Validity of the definition

  • Valid

Source organisation

  • Tilastokeskus

Related concepts

Coercive measures are often divided into tree groups: those against a person, those against property and coercive measures ordered by a court of justice. Statistics on coercive measures classify these measures so that coercive measures against a person are listed first and coercive measures against property are listed after them. Coercive measures ordered by a court of justice are indicated in the statistics by the letter O after the acronym of the coercive measure. Wiretapping, remote surveillance and technical monitoring (chapter 5a of the Coercive Measures Act 2003/646) are not included in these statistics.

Some of the cases compiled into statistics as coercive measures, such as restraining orders and business prohibitions are of the warrant-type (warrant for apprehension), which lead into actions, should the order be violated.

Coercive measures are provided for in the Coercive Measures Act (1987/450). In addition, apprehension is provided for in the Police Act (so called apprehension based on the Police Act). Coercive measures against foreign nationals in special circumstances (e.g. formalities in connection with entry into the country or refugee status) are provided for in the Aliens Act.

The general grounds according to law for using a coercive measure (one or more) are recorded in the decision to use a coercive measure.

Coercive measures against a person's freedom may also rest on special grounds (one or more). One typical instance of special grounds is that there is reason to fear that the person suspected of being guilty takes flight.



Validity of the definition

  • 1 January 1900 - 31 December 2020

Source organisation

  • Tilastokeskus

Related concepts


Jaa