“The simplest thing would be to do nothing and not see the problem. But it is much more difficult to find solutions and make the service more efficient. I am convinced that this would only strengthen the service and allow it to function more efficiently,” said Police Commissioner General Renat Požėla in a statement released on Thursday.
As announced in the announcement, the integration of the VST into the police will strengthen the service itself, which is 35% understaffed. jobs.
According to the department, the Ministry of the Interior (MIA) has prepared a new management model for the VST forces, which proposes to integrate the service into the composition of the Lithuanian police, as well as the structural changes of the police, moving to five districts, are necessary.
According to R. Požela, the current territorial division already hinders the effective performance of police activities, for example, when investigating such criminal acts as the distribution of narcotic substances, because it “has long gone beyond the borders of districts and counties, but also of the country”.
“A broader vision is necessary, and this can only be done by concentrating police forces in the future districts, which would greatly contribute to the investigation of not only these, but also other serious and very serious crimes. The experiment of the Telšiai-Šiauliai Police District, which has been going on for three years now, proves that it is effective and has paid off,” said R. Požėla.
According to him, the myth circulating about police stations being destroyed in the counties does not correspond to reality, because not only will police stations not be destroyed, but new ones will also be established – in Alytus, Utena, Marijampole, Taurage.
“They will be closer to the residents, officers will be able to pay more attention to ensuring the safety of the residents of their city, they will have more numbers and competences, more effectively investigating criminal acts,” said the Commissioner General of Police.
According to the police, the review of the functions of the VST showed that the VST does not perform unique functions, all the functions performed by the service are duplicated by other Lithuanian statutory institutions, of which even six are performed by the Lithuanian Police. Duplicate functions in different institutions mean inefficient use of state financial resources, greater administrative burden, according to the report.
The project on the connection of VST to the police will be submitted to the Seimas on Thursday. If the parliamentarians pass the laws, the VST would become part of the police from March 1, 2024, and it would also provide for the officers of this service to remain part of the armed forces.
The Ministry of the Interior, which prepared the amendments, notes that after the reform, the VST would continue its activities as a separate legal entity, a specialized police institution and would be called the Public Security Service of the Lithuanian Police.
The MIA states that the integration into the police system is planned on the basis of the current structure of the VST, while maintaining the continuity of the tasks set by the VST, ensuring the social guarantees and job coefficients of the officers, they would continue to serve in the same positions.
Critics of the reshuffle claim that the role of VST in ensuring public security in the country will decrease after the reform.
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#Police #Department #VST #enhance #public #safety
**Interview with Police Commissioner General Renat Požėla on the Integration of VST into Lithuanian Police**
**Editor:** Welcome, Commissioner Požėla. Thank you for joining us today. You recently made a statement regarding the integration of the VST into the Lithuanian police force. Can you start by explaining the reasoning behind this decision?
**Commissioner Požėla:** Thank you for having me. The integration of the VST is crucial for strengthening our police service, particularly as we currently face a significant understaffing issue—about 35% short of the necessary personnel. By merging the VST into the police, we can create a more efficient and streamlined approach to law enforcement.
**Editor:** You mentioned the need for a new management model and structural changes. How will these changes improve police operations on the ground?
**Commissioner Požėla:** Our current territorial division presents challenges, especially in investigating crimes like narcotics trafficking, which often span multiple districts and even borders. By restructuring into five districts, we can concentrate resources more effectively, allowing for comprehensive investigations and better management of serious crimes. The success of our Telšiai-Šiauliai Police District experiment over the past three years reinforces that this approach works.
**Editor:** Some critics have raised concerns that this integration may lead to the closure of local police stations. Can you clarify that?
**Commissioner Požėla:** I want to dispel that myth. Not only will police stations remain open, but new stations will also be established in regions like Alytus, Utena, Marijampole, and Taurage. This geographical expansion means that our officers can be closer to the communities they serve, improving response times and increasing their ability to engage with residents.
**Editor:** Your review highlighted that the VST performs functions that are already covered by the police. What impact will this have on resource allocation?
**Commissioner Požėla:** Combining our forces eliminates redundancy, allowing us to use state resources more wisely. This means more funding can be allocated directly to community policing and serious crime investigations rather than duplicative functions. Ultimately, this shift will enhance our overall effectiveness in maintaining public safety.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Commissioner Požėla. It’s clear that these changes are part of a broader vision for a more efficient police service in Lithuania.
**Commissioner Požėla:** Thank you. It’s essential to address these challenges head-on for a safer future for our communities.
