We say: no way. The proposal is designed more to calm the nerves of an unpopular and increasingly authoritarian government than to solve crime or improve public safety. We believe that most problems with the police are nothing to do with lacking equipment for implementation of a new criminal procedural code, the justification the minister gave to the president.
Ukraine has close to 600,000 law enforcers of all guises – 1.3 percent of the population. The number of police officers is estimated to be between 350,000 and 450,000, depending on the source of information.
It seems the ministry has money to buy equipment, too. In September alone, Hr 27.8 million was spent on the purchase of water cannons and paddy wagons, as well as other items to equip riot police ahead of the Oct. 28 parliamentary election.
Thankfully, this particular equipment was never used. However, there were at least three reports of the use of tear gas by special police units during the vote count, and way too many reports of excessive and overly aggressive involvement of police in the election process. Those incidents happened at polling stations where massive violations and fraud occurred. Instead of protecting the freedom of vote, the police often protected fraudsters from observers, journalists and public.
Police are notoriously unprofessional and, aside from this, there is much waste in the ministry. Inside of dumping more taxpayer funds in this badly run outfit, the state can find savings by firing a considerable number of police officers and imposing strict professional standards for those who retain their posts.
