Disciplinary problems in the State Police are not systemic - Kozlovskis

RIGA - Recent incidents involving police officers are isolated cases, and there are no systemic disciplinary problems within the State Police (VP), Transport Minister Rihards Kozlovskis (New Unity), who previously served as Minister of the Interior for many years, said Friday in an interview with Latvian Television.

"These are isolated incidents, and at least for now I do not see this as a systemic problem," said Kozlovskis.

He also stated that he does not see a need for State Police Chief Armands Ruks to resign in connection with these incidents. "I very much hope that he will not do so," said Kozlovskis, expressing the view that an assessment is necessary, but that the root of the problem lies elsewhere.

Kozlovskis noted that approximately 3,000 residents are detained in Latvia each year, but no upward trend has been observed among police officers. In particular, during Ruks' tenure, the number of disciplinary and administrative violations committed by police officers has decreased by one-third.

"In my view, the root of the problem lies elsewhere," said Kozlovskis, noting that in Latvia violations are also committed by, for example, soldiers and teachers. "This is a broader societal issue, and police officers are part of society," Kozlovskis stated.

At the same time, Kozlovskis also noted that the Minister of the Interior has the right to initiate an internal investigation.

As reported, following two incidents in which police officers committed criminal offenses while under the influence of alcohol outside of working hours, Interior Minister Janis Dombrava (National Alliance) initiated an internal investigation into Ruks.

Ruks, in turn, has ordered an internal audit to evaluate the existing control system and disciplinary oversight mechanisms, as well as to seek additional solutions to prevent similar incidents.

LETA also reported, this past weekend in Priekule, an intoxicated police officer fatally beat a teacher while off duty during a public event. Meanwhile, on Wednesday near Aizkraukle, a female police officer was apprehended after causing a traffic accident while driving under the influence of alcohol outside of working hours and fleeing the scene.

Following the tragedy in Priekule, the police will conduct alcohol tests as a preventive measure. These tests will apply to police officers who are required to carry a service firearm while on duty and who drive a police vehicle.