Artur Ahmetkhanov: "There is an excess of law-enforcement personnel , due to the Ossetian-Ingush conflict."

-How would you evaluate the criminal situation in North Ossetia?

-In comparison to other regions the criminal situation in North
Ossetia seems to be normal. For example, in Russia for every 100,000
people there are 489 crimes on average, in North Ossetia this rate is
estimated at 355 crimes per 100,000. There are some specific
difficulties in investigating especially grave crimes, but it mostly
depends on work of the republican Investigative Committee.
On the other hand there is a crime detection rate increase in the
sphere of crimes connected with illegal weapons and drug trafficking
(by 40%) and economic crimes (by 45%). We are successfully solving
bank frauds and illegal schemes in the fuel and energy industry. The
number of crimes committed in public places has been reduced, due to
the establishment of the Internal Affairs Directorate in Vladikavkaz
and preventive work.

North Ossetia holds the lead position so far in crime detection rates
among the North Caucasus Federal District republics in 2010.

- How will a reduction in personnel affect the work of the
republic?s law-enforcement agencies?

- Currently, this is a very important question for the Ministry
of Internal Affairs in general. Since 1992 several Special Forces
departments have been established on the initiative of the Ministry.
This has resulted in an excessive number of personnel and has become a
burden on the regional budget. On the other hand, the police are the
most under-paid of all departments within the Ministry and is
currently underfunded. Nevertheless, over the next two years we will
carry out optimization of personnel.

According to the President's order the number of Interior Ministry
personnel should be reduced by 20% by 2012, as its financing will be
carried out from the federal budget.

- What is the wage of a policeman?

- Seven thousand roubles. But if an employee works in a
heightened state of alert, his salary without doubt should be raised.
Starting in July 2010 the wage of a policeman will raised by 3-4
thousand roubles.

- How do you control computer clubs, most of which are misused?

- The ministry carries out monitoring of all clubs. In case of a
breach of the law we initiate criminal proceedings. There are cases of
corruption within the police, but we are fighting against it.

Tamara Bunturi, Vladikavkaz. Exclusively for VK.