You're reading: Zakharchenko: Ukrainian police to secure order at 2012 elections, stay out of politics

Interior Minister of Ukraine Vitaliy Zakharchenko has said that the police will stay out of politics during the preparations for and holding parliamentary elections in autumn 2012.

"The police will stay out of politics. It does now, and will stick to this position," the minister said at a press conference in Kyiv.

At the same time, he said both politicians and their supports should treat policemen with respect.

"You can’t grab a policeman by his uniform or beat him," the minister said.

Zakharchenko said the main task of the police during the elections would be to ensure the security of the public and to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens.