MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin has strongly criticised the work of Russian Interior Ministry during a meeting reviewing Ministry’s work in 2012, Dispatch News Desk (DND) reported on Friday.
“In Russia around 44$ crime cases remain unsolved. This is a clear, obvious fact testifying inefficiently constructed work of internal affairs,” – said Putin, speaking at the annual board.
According to Russian media, Putin was reviewing work of the ministry in connection with reforms that were initiated by the department at the time former President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev who is now Prime Minister of the country. The main objectives of the reform were to improve the efficiency of law enforcement agencies to fight corruption and improve the image of law enforcement.
Head of the Ministry Vladimir Kolokoltsev reported on the work done and called the priorities that are now facing the Russian police.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Presidential Administration, the State Duma, the Federation Council, the heads of the FSB, the Federal Drug Control Service, the Prosecutor General, Ministry of Emergencies, the Investigative Committee and other ministries and departments.
Putin was of the view that Ministry of the Interior must give full attention to improving the quality of operational and investigative work at all levels. Putin further said that Russia remains unsolved in cases of major crime that testified inefficiency in the work of internal affairs ministry.
At the same time, he noted that the total number of reported crimes in 2012 fell by 4.3%. However, it remains a concern that in a number of regions of the statistics record the growth of unsolved crimes.
Putin also drew attention to the issue of combating terrorism and demanded to tighten security and law and order in public places.
“Separately, will focus on the fight against terrorism. In 2012 reported 637 terrorism-related crimes , including 24 attack, “- said Putin.
Putin maintained that the government this year additionally allocated 3.3 billion rubles for social security of police service and one of the successes of the Russian police was the fact that last year the number of people willing to serve in the police exceeded the number of vacancies.
In turn Kolokoltsev said that last year it was destroyed about 400 members of illegal armed groups , including 50 gang leaders.
“As a result of joint activities and special operations conducted last year killed about 400 members of illegal armed groups, including 50 leaders. Detained more than 460 members and supporters of thugs” – said Kolokoltsev.
According to him, the most difficult operational situation in the North Caucasus remains – there were about 90% of all crimes of a terrorist nature. Kolokoltsev stressed the need of to develop a network of district police station in villages. “It will be formed by reallocating staff number of services and departments of the territorial authorities within the approved limits,” – he said.
Also, he said, will address equipment in offices and equipping of special vehicles and other machinery, means of communication, as well as the construction or acquisition of service housing.
According Kolokoltsev, social status of the police profession allowed to move on a competitive basis at acquisition of subsidiaries.
“It is significant that in the last year for the first time in many years, the number of people willing to serve in the police, the national average is more than double the number of available positions. Number of staff on the service, and a half times the number of laid-off” – said Minister. He added that at present there remains a substantial level of misconduct and violations of the personnel.
“Unfriendly staff on hand not only to discredit themselves, but also undermine public confidence in law enforcement bodies in general. We will continue to maintain a consistent and uncompromising struggle in this direction,” – he said, reminding the leaders that they are personally responsible for unlawful acts of subordinates.
The Minister said that every violation or misconduct of a police officer “must be regarded as an emergency, and be the subject of detailed study and the causes, he contributed to.”
It may be mentioned that former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree on December 24, 2011 on the improvement of the internal affairs bodies, involving, in particular, the reduction of staff before January 1, 2012 by 20%. The reform also provides for the disposal of non-core functions of the Ministry of Interior.
DND
