The Government has taken initial action to increase funding for law enforcement agencies and will prolong such policy to enhance security of citizens of Ukraine. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman during an extended meeting of the Board of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine devoted to the results of activities of LEAs (law enforcement agencies) in 2016 and Q1 2017.

"We are facing rather strong challenges, and our current objective is to do our utmost to provide the security of Ukrainian citizens. Tough times, challenging tasks, but we realize that the topmost priority for the Internal Affairs bodies, the National Police is ensuring a sufficient level of security", stressed Volodymyr Groysman.

He reminded that the Government had managed to improve cash cover for the National Guard and State Border Service, to increase funding for the State Emergency Service by 50 – 100 %. In particular, the expenses for fire equipment have been upped to UAH 600 million.

Besides, last year it was decided to increase the salaries of law enforcement officers: those paid to the staff of the Criminal Investigation Department from UAH 5-6 thousand up to UAH 10 to 14 thousand, to police officers of the KORD (Ukrainian SWAT police force) from UAH 5.5-6 thousand up to UAH 9-21 thousand, to district police officers - from UAH 3 thousand up to UAH 7 thousand. Apart from that, the wage of the patrol police officers makes up UAH 8-10 thousand, explained the Head of Government.

“I think it was just the first step”, said Volodymyr Groysman. “I wish to see that those who engage in providing the security of citizens - criminal investigation and prevention of crime departments - have a sufficient level of both technical and material support."

Simultaneously, according to the Head of Government, citizens also should feel due respect and attention to their problems on the part of law enforcement agents.