MOSCOW, March 7 (AVN) - Establishment of the federal criminal police committee system is a difficult and painful process, a source in the Russian Interior Ministry told the Military News Agency on Wednesday.
The ministry's leadership was not ready for what turned to be "division of the system into two ministries," the source said. Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo originally planned to withdraw from subordination to local police structures only the bodies combating mafia and corruption, but the presidential administration went further and effectively established two police systems. The Federal Criminal Police Committee structure is to comprise all main departments and services of the Interior Ministry. The ministry proper only retained control over public security departments, traffic police and logistics support services.
According to data obtained by the Agency, establishment of local criminal police committees takes place at the background of fierce fight between the centre and regional elites. The controversy concerns key appointments, principles of division and assignment of vehicles, communications, special equipment, etc. At the same time, it turned out that the criminal police is unable to function without interaction with public security police.
The source said the ministry was trying to hammer out disagreements over the structural reforms. Under the current plan, several existing structures will be left unchanged regardless of government decisions. Departments for criminal investigation, combating economic crimes and combating illegal drug turnover are likely to stay out of the criminal police, the source noted.