Kozlovskis: No Systemic Problem in Police, No Grounds for Ruka's Resignation

Following two high-profile incidents in which police officers were involved while intoxicated, Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava has requested a disciplinary review of State Police chief Armanda Ruka. Ruka has already stated he does not intend to step down.

Transport Minister and former Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis told Latvian Television on Friday that he sees no reason for Ruka's resignation. He recalled that in Priekule, an off-duty police officer struck and killed a person during a city festival, while in Aizkraukle an intoxicated policewoman caused a traffic accident and fled the scene. Kozlovskis described these as extraordinary cases but stressed that police statistics have not worsened. In his view, an emergency situation would only exist if an officer were drunk while performing official duties, such as responding to a call.

Kozlovskis praised Ruka's work, noting that disciplinary violations in the police force have decreased during his tenure. "There is no systemic problem," the minister said, adding that he analyzes events from the sidelines and tries not to evaluate the Interior Minister. He also noted that it is difficult when there is discord between the head of the largest service and the minister.

Meanwhile, Ruka said on TV3's "900 seconds" on Friday that police officers who commit intentional crimes should be stripped of their right to a service pension. He said he would be ready to push such legislative changes. The police chief also proposed an exception allowing police leadership to receive information from annual medical checks about employees' possible addictions or other health issues that could affect their service; currently, patient rights regulations prevent such information from being disclosed.