State Duma adopts law "On Police"

The State Duma on Friday adopted the law "On Police" in its third
reading, RIA Novosti reports.

The bill was developed as part of the reorganization of the Russian
internal affairs bodies. For the first time in the history of the
country, the developers of the bill accepted suggestions made by
citizens.

Only the United Russia party voted for the bill. Thus, 315 deputies
supported the law and 130 voted against.

According to the bill, the police will change their name and abandon
some of their previous functions. At the same time, the number of
employees will be reduced by 20% before 1 January 2012. All the
employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will have to pass a
mandatory re-certification.

In accordance with the bill, the police force, its establishment,
reorganization and liquidation will be determined by the President of
the Russian Federation.

In compliance with the proposals of human rights initiatives, public
control over the activities of the Interior Ministry will be
introduced.

From 1 January 2012 the police will be released from the
responsibilities of administrative expulsion from Russia of illegal
migrants, organization of sobering-up stations, escort of detainees
and prisoners from detention facilities, searches for debtors and the
formation and maintenance of the register of disqualified persons.