Book on presidents’ relationships with security guards published in Finland
In Finland, the book Henkivartijat by Commissioner Antti Vanhatalo has been published, covering more than a century of history of head-of-state protection. It contains recollections of the relationships between Finnish presidents and their security guards, including their attempts to avoid escorts. This was reported by YLE News.
Finland’s fifth president, Risto Ryti, who led the country during the war years, occasionally tried to walk without security. His guard, Hugo Kivinen, recalled that Ryti used the kitchen stairs of the Presidential Palace, but a police officer at the gate gave a signal by ringing a bell. Ryti also asked not to be accompanied to his son’s wedding at Helsinki Cathedral, but the guard followed him at a certain distance.
Niininistö’s canoe and the search by security
Former President Sauli Niinistö, who held office from 2012 to 2024, once managed to set off in a canoe into the sea from the summer presidential residence of Kultaranta in Naantali. When the duty officer noticed that one canoe was missing, security began a search: a boat was launched, while one of the guards inspected the coastline.
According to the book, the canoe was difficult to see at dusk because it had no reflective elements. Security was also concerned about active summer vessel traffic in the area. Eventually, Niinistö was spotted and returned to Kultaranta. After that, control over the canoes was tightened.
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From distance to trust
Vanhatalo, who served as a guard for five Finnish presidents, writes that the first heads of state often kept security at a distance. Pehr Evind Svinhufvud felt uncomfortable because of the guards’ presence, so they usually accompanied him inconspicuously. Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim did not allow guards to ride in the same car with him and did not like being accompanied on walks.
At the same time, guards recalled Mauno Koivisto as a president with whom relaxed and trusting relations gradually developed. According to his security personnel, Martti Ahtisaari treated staff with respect and thanked them for their work. Tarja Halonen visited the security premises to talk with duty officers.
Vanhatalo called current President Alexander Stubb one of the presidents most open to communication. In his assessment, Stubb’s cooperation with security is based on an open exchange of information and trust.
