Ruks on drunk police incidents: 'No tolerance, but police are also only human'

Earlier this week, a tragedy occurred in Priekule during local festivities when an off-duty State Police officer under the influence of alcohol killed Normunds Vamzis, a teacher at Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School. On Wednesday evening, a female police officer was detained in Aizkraukle after she caused a traffic accident with her private car while drunk and fled the scene.

State Police chief Armands Ruks commented on both incidents on TV24, noting that they happened off-duty and that criminal proceedings have been launched in both cases. He said the only common factor was alcohol. Regarding the Priekule tragedy, Ruks stated that the suspect is in custody and the investigation is ongoing; he declined further details.

Ruks revealed he learned of the Aizkraukle incident on Wednesday evening. The officer had hit an obstacle with her private car and left the scene. She was found at another property, and a breathalyzer test showed over three per mille. She was taken for blood tests and placed in a short-term detention center; a criminal case was opened.

The police chief ordered an internal investigation at the Austrumzemgale station to review preventive measures. He noted that the detained officer had long service and had reached retirement age but extended her duty, with no prior disciplinary issues or signs of alcohol problems. Ruks emphasized that there is zero tolerance for such offenses and that no officer is covered up.

Ruks also stated that these are exceptional cases and that systemic alcohol issues within the police during duty hours are a thing of the past. He acknowledged a heavy emotional atmosphere in the force due to public condemnation often directed at all officers. Following both incidents, Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava has initiated a service review against Ruks himself.