Topic "Thread of reform of the Ministry of Interior" discussed during radio broadcast "Conversation with the Minister" at radio station "Militia wave"

MW. In our broadcast we touched upon the issue of reforming the Ministry of Interior several times. For the period which elapsed since our previous broadcast, a number of momentous events took place which concern this issue.

Our listeners continue asking questions in this respect. Therefore, we will again take the reforming the Ministry of Interior matter from the table today.

- Rashid Gumarovich, almost two months have gone since our last conversation about reforming the Ministry of Interior. This matter is still of interest for our radio listeners. Both militia employees, and ordinary citizens are inquisitive about the course of the reform. In particular, they wonder whether the reform has not stopped, whether it prevents militia from performing its principal functions of maintaining the safety, especially in the south of the country?

Minister. The reforming is underway at full speed and according to the terms determined by the Head of the state. What has been done in these two months? First, the definition of the structure and staff size of the Central administrative board of the Ministry of Interior of Russia in the North Caucasian federal district is near completion, with due account for the particularities and special conditions of service in the region. Also, the optimization of the Central administrative board in the Southern federal district is drawing to a close.

Secondly, special purpose inter-regional centers and operative bureaus of the Ministry of Interior of Russia are established.

The basic term while performing the reforms is to preclude whatever failures in the activity of our services and units. Citizens should feel safe regardless of the processes in the department. At the moment, we do everything we are obliged to by decrees of the President.

MW. One of priorities of the reform is improving the method of selecting personnel and decreasing the corruption. This issue always stirs the public. Last week, the published data on incomes of federal and regional militia officers were lively discussed in the mass media and over the Internet...

Minister. We have been openly engaged in the struggle against corruption for about five years, and make no exception for our own bodies. We are among the law enforcement bodies who are not scared or ashamed of openly speaking about this problem. Publishing the information on incomes of our employees in an open access location is also one of preventive measures of struggling against corruption. In future, employees appointed to supervising or higher positions, and after that all militia employees, will submit income declarations.

Another important step on the way of improving the personnel work will be acceptance of the "Disciplinary charter of law enforcement bodies of the Russian Federation". The public is also taking part in its development. We intend to enact this document before the end of this year.

MW. Rashid Gumarovich, our listeners also look forward to clearing another matter connected with reform, which is development of the new edition of the Law "About militia". How much has the work on the bill advanced? How strongly will it differ from the operating law?

Minister. For us it is a determinative document indeed. The new edition of the Law "About militia" will be primarily focused on the maintenance of rights and freedoms of citizens. All rights and duties of militia employees will be exactly specified in the Law which will positively tell on the quality of work of the Ministry of Interior as a whole.

Yesterday, we discussed the provisionally prepared project of the concept at the session of the Organizing committee. The participants of session, namely, deputies, senators, prominent public and scientific figures, human rights defenders, militia experts expressed their opinions and offered a number of amendments.

Now the project is being refined finished with account for the remarks and amendments. After that it will be presented to public discussion like we promised before. In particular the project of the Z concept will be published at the website of the Ministry of Interior of Russia. I will emphasize that this will be done in the near future. Taking an opportunity, I'd like to thank all experts who took part in the development of the project of the concept.

Now I can tell that the document is going to be voluminous. It will contain formulations for basic ideas, purposes and the subject of the forthcoming bill. Also, it will characterize and estimate the legal regulation of militia's activity for today.

MW. Rashid Gumarovich, last week you discussed the course of reforming the militia with scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences. What made such a meeting necessary? Has it turned out useful?

Minister. We have repeatedly emphasized the Ministry of Interior's openness before the society. To ensure the reform is efficient, to achieve our goals it is expedient to involve all healthy forces of the society. So, in particular, an expert committee for reforming the Ministry is now being established now with assistance of the Public council. Discussions are held with deputies, senators, human rights defenders and the public to take advantage of their advisory support.

However, any action should be scientifically justified. True, we have excellent scientific employees working in our department, and they participate in the reforming process with commitment, but we also need to know the opinion of civil experts. In this case we have an opportunity to explore a wide range of the whole scientific community's opinions.

During the meeting we discussed the aspects of the reform, its first results. We also signed a agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Interior and the branch of social studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. This will make it possible for us to work in a closer contact in future.

MW. Rashid Gumarovich, you mentioned there would be a reduction of personnel. People are worried and write messages to our editorial office wondering what they will be exposed to...

Minister. Starting the modernization of the Ministry of Interior, we should think of employing our employees who for certain reasons leave law enforcement bodies after the staff reduction. Therefore, we have already established a working group headed by deputy Minister of Interior Sergey Gerasimov. This group will be engaged in solving issues of employment for our employees.

Probably, we will have to cooperate with executive authorities, to teach employees some new competence. We should care of each our employee, about each person who will no longer work within the system of law enforcement bodies. In all cases, decisions will be made individually. Our task is to prevent people from remaining with their problems face to face after they quit the law enforcement bodies, to help them, integrate into the civil society in a new quality.

MW. Well, let us put a ‘to be continued' mark here. Thanks a lot, Rashid Gumarovich, for the substantial and detailed conversation.

Radio broadcast "Conversation with the Minister" at the station "Militia wave",

www.mvd.ru

Print version