Priit Kirsiste from Kuusalu, who received a letter of thanks from Kuusalu municipality, contributed 509.5 hours of volunteer work as an auxiliary policeman last year, and Kristjan Kurg from Kolga 78 hours and also acts as Kolga’s volunteer sprinkler. Both have completed the training of an auxiliary police officer with independent competence and can act without a police officer.
Priit Kirsiste has been an assistant police officer since 2014 and operates in the entire work area of the Ida-Harju police station, which stretches from Loksa and Aegviidu to the center of Tallinn. He has contributed 500-600 hours to the voluntary activities of an auxiliary policeman every year.
“This is my hobby, on Friday night I put on my uniform and go to the police station. The auxiliary policeman’s equipment is similar to that of professional policemen, we also carry a gun and a taser. The powers are also essentially the same as those of the police, but there is no procedural right. The resolution of domestic violence, or family disputes, comes up quite a lot. I go on patrols, talk regarding the police and auxiliary police officers in schools, and participate in outdoor campaigns organized by the police in Tallinn. I also ride in an escort when a head of state visits Estonia,” said Priit Kirsiste.
Kristjan Kurg became an assistant policeman following the Bronze Night riots in 2007 and patrols the home municipality together with Priit Kirsiste and district policeman Kalev Kuuspalu. He described that when the auxiliary policemen have signed up to go on patrol, they are sent to the scene, if necessary, where it is necessary to decide whether it is necessary to call the auxiliary forces or whether they can do it themselves. “In general, Kuusalu municipality is calm, we see more cars without insurance or inspection, or we meet drunk drivers,” said Kristjan Kurg.
