"Looking at the real situation, it is a priority to ask for additional funding. Personnel is a priority," Kozlosvkis said.
The number of people leaving the State Police remains high. For example, last year 200 more officers left the State Police than were recruited, while in the State Border Guard the figure was 34. Meanwhile, in the State Fire and Rescue Service, for example, last year ended with a positive balance - the service ended the year with 40 more rescuers.
Therefore, when drafting next year's state budget and the next medium-term budget, Kozlovskis hopes for additional funding to raise the salaries of the internal affairs services, in particular the State Police.
"The government as a whole has set internal security as a priority, for the next year and perhaps also for the medium term we very much hope that there will be an opportunity to increase remuneration and also social guarantees, which gives an additional direct motivation to join [the State Police], and this is also a certain message not to leave this service," Kozlovskis said.
To tackle the problem of staff shortage, the State Police College has also launched a recruitment campaign "Police is looking for you".
