Valtiollinen poliisi

Valtiollinen poliisi 

In 1919 Etsivä keskuspoliisi (Detective Central Police) was established. In 1937 it was transformed into Valtiollinen poliisi, or Valpo (the Finnish State Police). The main task of the State Police was to control public order, to prevent political subversion, and to monitor foreigners in Finland. The police’s action was directed mainly against the political left, the underground Communist Party, the trade unions and workers’ organizations. During the war time Valpo cooperated with the German security police. After the war, due to political changes, Valpo became left-wing oriented. For this reason, starting from the spring of 1945 Valpo was often referred to as “Red Valpo,” or Valpo II. In 1948 Valpo was dissolved and replaced by Suojelupoliisi, or Supo (Finnish Security Police).