About results of forming of internal affairs bodies in the Russian Federation

Russian police were created in 1718 by the emperor Peter I. In 1917 as a result of revolutions “the police” were renamed into “militia”. In Sovjet Russia militia officers stood honestly guard rest of citizens, struggled against crime, protected safety of the people. Militia service was honorable and respected among citizens of the Sovjet Union. After breakup of the Sovjet Union the leaders of the new country were not

concerned about internal affairs bodies. In 2004 the Parliament passed the law according which all privileges given to internal affairs bodies were cancelled.The wage of militiamen was very low at that time. And the number of crimes was constantly increasing. The best and the most experienced officers left their positions in militia. They were replaced by people who didn’t want to work well but used their position for their personal enrichment. As a result there was decrease in personnel discipline and increase in the number of crimes committed by officers of internal affairs bodies. The citizens were afraid of employees of militia more than criminals. People constantly wrote letters to the president Dmitry Medvedev with complaints about bad work of militia and lawlessness.  That’s why in December 2009 the president of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev announced about the necessity of urgent reform of internal affair bodies. He said that in the first place this reform aims at protection of values of democracy, rights and freedoms of citizens, provision of law and order and safety of a person, society, state. The law “About police” came into effect on initiative of Dmitry Medvedev on 1 March 2011. This law contains the best terms of laws of Italy, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and other countries. According to the law “militia” were renamed into “the police”. The main duty of policemen since then is protection of life, health, rights and freedoms of citizens of Russia and foreign citizens from criminal offences. Now the police must come to rescue to people who need their protection. During the reform almost 200 thousand employees of militia were dismissed, that is 22% of the personnel. Those who have continued their service in the police, are getting wages two times higher since 1 January 2012 than during previous years. There was also increase in social guarantees and pension provision.The state supplied the police with new cars, computers and other technical equipment. Now citizens of Russia may expect good results of work of police in struggle against criminality, safe protection of rights and freedoms of citizens from unlawful violence .
Vladimir Kislukhin, member of International Police Association