IPN News Agency presents a picture of the year in different areas in the view of governmental authorities and independent experts. “2018: how it was and how it wasn’t!?” No. 8: Internal affairs
2018 was a good year for Ministry of the Interior
Minister Alexandru Jizdan said 2018 was a good year for the Ministry of the Interior. “I say good because we managed, together with my team, to achieve important objectives both for the employees of the system and for society,” he stated. According to him, there were initiated a number of projects designed to improve the services provided for the people and the life of employees of all subdivisions. The Ministry of the Interior has over 16,000 employees nationwide. The changes that took place in the period weren’t probably felt by each of them. That’s why the pace will be kept up as there is always place for the better.
Alexandru Jizdan a noted that, together with the team, they managed to develop the cooperation relations with the foreign partners, which actually enabled to develop joint large-scale projects. “I will give only several examples. This year we commenced a public-private partnership that will help us to provide the functionaries with a special status with apartments. We succeeded in initiating the reform of the Carabineer Troops that now have other duties, according to the new law. We implemented projects at the Dinamo Club that are designed to promote sport among employees,” stated the minister.
The National Police also achieved results this year, showing more unity and mobilization for nice social activities. “Surely, the list can be continued, but it is the people who follow our work and benefit from our services who should give us a grade. We cannot say we have shortcomings as we mainly achieved what we planned,” stated the official, adding the Ministry’s team aims to continue work to ensure security and peace for the Moldovan people and it is very important to continue all the started beneficial things.
In the people’s service
Chairman of the Association of War Veterans “Credință Patriei” (“Faith to the Motherland”) Gennady Cosovan, ex-deputy minister of the interior, said the whole system of internal affairs was modernized. The Ministry of the Interior turned from a military institution into a public institution that provides services. The process wasn’t fully implemented, but results were achieved. Following the implemented policies, the representatives of the Ministry’s subdivisions turned from those who watched over for the law to be obeyed into those who are in the public service.
The recently adopted law on the General Inspectorate of Carabineer Troops is a relevant example. Measures were taken to strengthen a professional nucleus. For the first time, persons were named to a number of posts as a result of a contest and, even if this is not perfect, the selection principles, such as meritocracy, were applied and this will bring value added in the future.
The Ministry of the Interior became more open. Until now not much information was made public, but now the Ministry’s subdivisions regularly inform about the committed offenses and emergencies and society is informed. “The openness of the police shows the police officers really represent the police force. The police officers are no longer perceived with fear and are regarded as those who ensure safety,” stated Gennady Cosovan.
Fluctuation of staff affects sustainability of policies
As to shortcomings, Gennady Cosovan said the fluctuation of staff is great and money is thus wasted. About 15% of employees leave the system during the first year of employment. The fluctuation of staff affects the sustainability of the policies developed in the field. This phenomenon is due to the salaries that remained rather low despite raises. These are not enough for a police officer to maintain his family.
Even if the professional nucleus was stabilized, this is not yet fully formed. The average age of a police officer is 32, but a person turns professional at international level at the age of 40 – 45. Emphasis should be placed on the equipment as a lot of work is yet to be done in this regard despite the taken steps. Corruption should be regarded through this aspect and through the angle of salaries. If the necessary conditions are created, corruption will diminish.
As to the future prospects, Gennady Cosovan expressed his conviction that when the necessary legal framework is adopted and the policies are modernized, the police will be a non-politicized body. “The police officers will not serve the government, but the people. And this is important as many employees of the Ministry of the Interior obey the law and serve the people by ensuring their peace and protection,” he stated.
Elena Nistor, IPN
Other materials of the campaign “2018: how it was and how it wasn’t!?”:
Agriculture, regional development and environment
Defense
Education
Justice
Transnistrian settlement
Economy and Infrastructure
Health, labor and social protection
