Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed the law on police, he
told the opening of the council for the Ministry of the Interior,
RIA Novosti reports.
The law comes into force on March 1.
The Russian militia will change its name to police. 20% of its staff
will be made redundant by January 1, 2012. All the current staff will
undergo validation. The law was available to read on the Internet, and citizens'
comments were taken into account.
The law was passed on January 28 and the Federation Council approved it on February 2.
The president reminded the council that the law determines the status, rights and
obligations of the police, prevents duplicating police functions and sets a
model of cooperation between the police and citizens.
Medvedev said that he will soon sign decrees. They include the status of
the Interior Ministry, the structure of its central office, the territorial
structure of the ministry, the work of validation commissions and their
staff numbers.
Other decrees will determine the list of ranks and positions of the
Interior Ministry, the Federal Migration Service, the bureau for
coordinating the work against organized crime and other structures.
Medvedev talked on the terrorism. He said that the recent attack at
Domodedovo airport demonstrates unprofessional and unacceptable
security measures. The new law provides more powers for security and
expertise of infrastructure protection.
The president said that extremism, attempts to augment inter-ethnic
and inter-religious tensions should be punished severely. Extremists
should have no chance to destabilize the situation. He added that
crime, business and authorities merged together in some regions.
Medvedev reminded that the responsibility for organized crime lies on
the regional authorities, as well as the police. Special coordination
councils were established for joint fight against crime.
Another threat for the country is corruption. The president said that
half of the complaints he receives are related to red-tape.
