On Friday, March 19, the closing event of the European Union (EU) Structural Reform Support Program project "Increasing the Efficiency of the Institutions of the Interior Sector in Latvia (Phase 2)" (SRAP-2) took place, during which a summary of structural reform progress was provided. Police (VP) and the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) regarding the recommendations received in 2019 within the framework of Phase 1 of the same project (SRAP-1).
SRAP-2 was implemented by the Ministry of the Interior in cooperation with SIA Ernst & Young Baltic (EY), and developed an action plan and recommendations to improve the quality of pre-trial investigations (from criminal proceedings to prosecution), licensing and permitting processes for weapons owners, as well as national fire safety supervision.
As a result of SRAP-2, the benefits for both services and society will be the digitization of these processes, increased efficiency of services (thus reducing various risks to people's health and lives), reduced administrative burdens, as well as better cooperation and better services for citizens.
State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior Mr Trofimov emphasized the importance of structural reforms in the home affairs sector: “We are doing everything we can to ensure that those working in the home affairs sector understand the importance and benefits of these reforms, because a qualitative process of change is based on the understanding of all those involved in change and, first and foremost, on the understanding of the employees themselves. I am pleased with the attitude and active action of both services management to implement the reforms. ”
"The positive impact of these reforms will be felt by the field of home affairs, our employees and every member of society. I very much hope that, once these reforms are implemented, we will talk about a much more modern and secure country, as well as a more transparent investigation process. Improvement and digitalisation of structural reforms and internal processes is a priority of the Ministry of the Interior, ”continued Mrs Bole, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior.
The main benefits of the work of the State Police will be to find additional work resources needed to allow police officers and investigators to spend more time on detecting and preventing violations.
The current paper format will be replaced by a system in which all data will be stored in one place. It is planned both to improve the quality of pre-trial investigation (introduction of e-case) and to digitize weapons permits. In turn, the most significant benefit of the SFRS from the improvement of fire safety efficiency will be the digitization of documents and access to fire safety data at any time and place. Residents will also be better informed and will be able to cooperate more quickly with the SFRS on the fire safety requirements of buildings.
The process of obtaining a weapon and obtaining a storage permit will also be significantly facilitated, saving funds for the police, businesses and other members of society.
At the end of the meeting, Mario Nava, Director General of DG REFORM, thanked the parties involved for their excellent cooperation.
The meeting was attended by representatives from DG REFORM, the Ministry of the Interior, EY, VP, SFRS, the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Finance and non-governmental organizations.
SRAP 1 and SRAP-2 are funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Structural Reform (DG REFORM), which aims to help EU Member States build more efficient institutions and stronger governance systems to implement policies for job creation and sustainable growth.
Prepared:
Samanta Nalivaiko
Ministry of the Interior
Communication departments
Public relations specialist
Phone: 67219082
E-mail: samanta.nalivaiko@iem.gov.lv