16:02 19.12.2014

Poroshenko supports Interior Ministry reform, transforming militia into police

1 min read
Poroshenko supports Interior Ministry reform, transforming militia into police

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has welcomed a decision to reform the Interior Ministry of Ukraine, and replace the militia with a police force.

"A lot of work lies ahead…We took a decision, and I initiated probably the biggest in history of Ukraine, a reform of law enforcement. In general, I support the plan of militia reformation offered by the Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, and now we're going to improve it using the best world experience…I am completely for renaming the Soviet-called militia to police. I believe we must cross this Rubicon," he said during celebrations commemorating the Day of Police in Kyiv on Friday.

The head of state noted Georgia’s positive experience in reforming its law enforcement system adding: "My attitude is extremely positively towards the Interior Ministry's leadership, they’ve got a person whom I respect a lot [Ukraine's first deputy interior minister Eka Zguladze]."

He went on to say that combating corruption is the key task for law enforcement.

The president reported that through eleven months of 2014, 81 law enforcement agents were killed and 1,165 injured while fulfilling their duty.

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