In order to improve the work of law enforcement officers, the new Chief of the State Police Armands Ruks promises to rotate employees, but no police officer will be fired.
Ruks does not plan to make any radical decisions and hopes that politicians will agree on raising the salaries of police officers, which is one of the most painful issues in the service.
In his first press conference in his new position, Armands Ruks highlighted the lack of staff as one of the biggest problems. The most gloomy situation is in the Riga region administration, there is an acute shortage of traffic police officers. The new police chief recalled the proposals that had once been made, such as the creation of a so-called universal police officer. For example, in other countries, a patrol police officer performs both district and traffic police functions.
From an organizational point of view, Ruks is considering rotating the head of the department, without mentioning specific words.
“As far as mergers are concerned, there is definitely a need for careful consideration. I do not intend to make very hasty decisions without getting acquainted with the situation, ”Ruks pointed out.
Just today, the Internal Security Bureau has detained a police officer on suspicion of allegedly covering up the smuggled cigarette trade in the Central Market. Commenting on this case, Ruks emphasizes that dishonest people have no place in the service.
“If we have these cases, then that’s the problem.” The old days are over, that’s what I want to tell all the cops, “Ruk said.
Minister of the Interior Sandis Ģirģens (KPV LV) expects the new police chief to be creative and efficient, including finding ways to save money, because given the Covid-19 crisis and the overall economic situation, police officers cannot expect a substantial increase in salaries.
It should be reminded that Ruks has worked in a secret police unit for many years, until July he was appointed the head of the Criminal Investigation Board, but on Tuesday he was approved as the head of the police by a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers.
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