Police officer suspected of aggravated assault after Tuusula moped incident
A 27-year-old police officer involved in a traffic incident in Tuusula is now suspected of aggravated assault, after the charge was upgraded due to new details in the case. District prosecutor Heli Haapalehto confirmed the change in suspicion to Ilta-Sanomat, stating that the moped rider’s injuries were more severe than initially believed.
The incident occurred when the officer’s actions caused a 15-year-old moped rider to swerve into a ditch. Helsingin Sanomat reported that the boy underwent surgery following the crash, though his mother told the publication that he is recovering well. The officer was previously suspected of assault, but the charge was amended as the preliminary investigation progressed.
The officer has not yet been formally heard in the investigation. Haapalehto stated that authorities plan to question the officer in the near future but did not specify a timeline. She added that police first intend to interview other witnesses present at the scene but did not disclose who has already been heard.
According to the preliminary investigation, no other police officers were at the crash site when the incident occurred.
In addition to aggravated assault, the officer is suspected of violating official duties and aggravated endangerment of traffic safety. The Helsinki Police have also launched an investigation into the moped rider, who is preliminarily suspected of aggravated endangerment of traffic safety, unauthorized driving of a vehicle, and a vehicle offense (Ilta-Sanomat).
