The future head of the VP wants to strengthen human resources and optimize internal processes The news

Riga, October 8, LETA. The priorities of the future Chief of the State Police (VP) Armands Ruka after taking office will be strengthening human resources, optimizing internal processes and improving communication.

Ruks explained to the agency LETA that at the end of September the Minister of the Interior Sandis Ģirģens (KPV LV) had invited him to a conversation in which he was interested in the general situation and what Ruka’s vision was for the development of the LP. This ended the conversation, although a second, more specific conversation followed.

“Considering all the pros and cons, and considering that the VP is without a leader, then evaluating his abilities and experience, only a patriotic and sense of duty agreed to the offer to apply for the position of police chief,” Ruks pointed out.

Ruks has not started in the competition for the position of the head of the VP, but he can say with a calm conscience that he is not a politically driven official, because when talking to the Minister a few weeks ago, he did not know any other politicians personally.

“I will not succumb to political pressure because I have always done my job in good faith. However, the fact that the public did not know anything about me does not mean that I have not headed important departments,” said Ruks, who cannot disclose previous positions in public due to the protection of state secrets.

He would outline his main priorities in three directions. Firstly, strengthening human resources, both quantitative and qualitative. This is an extremely big problem, especially in the administration of the Riga region, where there is a catastrophic shortage of people.

Second, the optimization of internal processes. This means identifying and avoiding duplication of functions and tasks. “This constitutes poor management and possible irrational use of resources. These are both human and material resources,” Ruks added.

Third, communication with the public and internal communication must be further improved so that every police officer and employee understands the institution’s guidelines, goals and mission.

Ruks agreed that changes in the police will require adequate financial resources, but the problems can also be solved by reviewing and improving the police’s internal resources.

“Additional funding is definitely needed and I can agree with the Minister that there are problems that are definitely not the fault of the former State Police management. Significant additional funding is needed to improve infrastructure and facilities, because it is no secret that the police have units working in inappropriate conditions. I am convinced that a number of improvements can be made without additional funding, thus reviewing and improving a number of internal processes, “said the candidate for the post of Chief of Staff.

Ruks did not deny that the issue of merging structural units is topical. “I have talked about this before, namely the non-duplication of functions, which also includes structural changes, including mergers,” he added. However, on certain issues, on which the need to merge structural units is pointed out, Ruks added that he has an idea about this issue, but currently does not want to hurry with specific plans and disclose them publicly.

“Let’s wait for the government’s decision on my candidacy and then talk in detail about specific plans. I also need an in-depth assessment and it can’t be done so quickly,” Ruks added.

However, Ruks emphasized that his planned reforms do not envisage reducing the number of existing police officers.

It has already been reported that it has been decided to promote Armands Ruka, the head of the Criminal Investigation Board of the VP, to the vacant position of the Chief of the VP. He has been appointed to this position by the Minister of the Interior Sandis Ģirģens (KPV LV). Ruks was not among the three candidates for the position of the head of the VP who have been publicly evaluated so far.

Only this summer, Ruks became the head of the Criminal Investigation Board. Prior to that, he held a position in the LP service that was not disclosed to the general public. He is currently a lecturer at the State Police College.

Three police officers applied for the position of the Chief of the VP – Colonel Normunds Grūbis, Deputy Chief of the Chief Administrative Department of the VP and the only generals in the police service – the current acting Chief of the Andrejs Grišins and the Chief of the Riga Region Juris Šulte

Gürgens explained to LETA in advance that Grišins won the highest number of points in the competition, but taking into account the health condition of the official, Ruks was chosen as a candidate for the responsible position.

At the end of last year, the former head of the VP, General Ints Ķuzis, decided to resign. February 10 was the last working day for Kuzis as the head of the VP. From February 11 until the end of the competition, Grišins, the head of the Main Criminal Police Department, was appointed the acting head of the VP.

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