In an interview with Lietiska Diena business magazine, Edgars Zalitis, board chairman of G4S Latvia and G4S Cash Services Latvia, said that it was unclear which events the police were able to provide security services for. He also pointed to corruption on the police force.
"If we bribe a road police, it is corruption and not a paid service. But there is such a thing as paid services though," the private security firm head said.
"I think, as an individual, you are not in a position to buy this service so simply. For instance, [it is possible] to hire cops to guard you and your girlfriend at a barbecue party, because the criteria are very vague," he said.
By way of example, Zalitis pointed to two major festivals that took place in the seaside resort town of Jurmalathis summer. He said that private security firms were forced to provide services to the Bi-2 pop music concert, while police were available for the New Era music festival.
Earlier this year, Forbes magazine rated Latviaas one of "Europe's crime capitals."
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