The analysis of the reform launched by the Ministry of the Interior in 2013 revealed that the policies are implemented fragmentarily and non-compliantly. Minister of the Interior Pavel Voicu, in the meeting of the Ministry’s Board, said the impact of the reform is not felt in rural areas and a prompt reaction to emergency calls is not ensured, IPN reports.

Presenting the progress report in front of inferiors and Prime Minister Ion Chicu, the minister said the Ministry’s personnel decreased following the launched reform. Almost 80 posts of sector officer were cut and the number of inspectors for minors declined by 50%. Of the 173 police stations, only 34 enjoy optimal working conditions. To change the state of affairs, it was proposed renovating 20 police stations. The outfitting of the police officers remains a pressing problem.

Pavel Voicu noted shortcomings were also identified in the carabineer troops reform. Carabineers’ duties to ensure public order and security overlap with those of police officers. Also, 116 criminal cases over corruption were started against employees of the Ministry of the Interior last year. This is by 70 cases fewer than in 2018, but the figure remains worrisome.

Last year, the Ministry’s prosecution bodies started almost 30,000 criminal cases. The crime rate nationwide was of almost 85 to 10,000 people towards the end of 2019. Most of the offenses were committed by persons under the influence of alcohol, people from socially deprived groups and unemployed persons. The over 1,600 fired that happened last year claimed 120 lives, with five of the victims being children.

Premier Chicu underlined the necessity of maintaining stability in the country, saying the police officers should be the promoters of stability and security. He also said that the role of the police in the patriotic education of the young people should be increased and proposed reintroducing the patriotic education lessons in schools.