From Restaurant Owner to Recruit: Mirva “Minttu” Mäkynen Champions Empathy in Policing

Mirva "Minttu" Mäkynen, a trainee at the Police University of Applied Sciences campus in Hervanta, says she will prioritise empathy and communication in her work, according to YLE. She sold her restaurant to train. She is wrestling with how to reconcile a feminine, sensitive identity with the physical demands of police work.

Her dilemma comes as policing has faced recent criticism, including an incident in Tuusula in August that sparked debate about force and tactics. Some force-training modules at the school have been challenging given her slight build, and she has questioned whether course design and instructors sufficiently reflect gender diversity. She also worried people might see her as "not credible" because of her appearance.

Peter Liski, a lecturer in speech communication and a tactical negotiator, urges recruits not to be "robot police, be a human to a human." He stresses listening, a calm tone and verbal de-escalation.

Starting a ten-month field placement at the Mikkeli police station, Mäkynen says practical work has shown her she can be both approachable and resilient. "I'm soft and firm, not hard," she says, and she intends to remain herself within the boundaries the profession requires.

The debate follows trainee debates over police use of force at the Polamk Hervanta campus and ties into wider efforts to use inclusive job language in regional services in Pirkanmaa.