The National Patrolling Inspectorate received 90 new vehicles outfitted with modern equipment. They were bought by the Ministry of the Interior in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Moldova. The embassy donated a part of the equipment, to the value of over US$70,000, IPN reports.
The vehicles have GPS localization systems and video cameras connected directly to the Monitoring Center. Several of the cars include systems for identifying illegally parked vehicles, digital boards with software for putting fines automatically, bullet-proof vests and helmets, radio stations and breathalyzers.
Acting Prime Minister Vlad Filat said the provision of the police with modern equipment represents a new stage in the process of reforming the Ministry of the Interior. He also said that the Government will continue to make effort to ensure good salaries and appropriate work conditions for the police.
U.S. Ambassador to Moldova William Moser said that the people must have confidence in the police officers as they contact with them when they need help.
The Skoda Rapid vehicles were purchased by the Ministry of the Interior as a result of a public tender contest. The price of a car with special accumulators and the siren installed by the distributor is 199,000 lei. The Ministry will pay for the cars in installments, during three years.
The National Patrolling Inspectorate is a new police subdivision created within the reform at the Ministry of the Interior to ensure the patrolling of the whole country and to assist the local inspectorates in preventing and discovering offences. It has 1,400 police officers.
