Latvia plans to introduce mandatory morning alcohol tests for certain police officers nationwide following the fatal incident in Priekule, where an off-duty officer allegedly beat a man to death while intoxicated, Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava has announced.
Speaking on Latvian Radio on Wednesday, Dombrava said the new measure is intended to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The minister explained that, following the tragedy in Priekule, the leadership of the South Kurzeme Police Station was ordered to explain what measures were in place to prevent alcohol abuse among officers. Based on those responses, Dombrava concluded that routine alcohol testing had not been standard practice.
As a result, the government plans to introduce stricter requirements, including mandatory alcohol breath tests every morning for police officers who routinely carry firearms and drive official police vehicles.
Dombrava said
the internal service investigation launched at the South Kurzeme Police Station could ultimately result in changes to its leadership.
He added that there have been no major developments in the criminal investigation itself. The suspect remains in custody, while the Internal Security Bureau (IDB) has taken over the pre-trial investigation.
The minister stressed that, regardless of the fatal outcome, it is unacceptable for a police officer to be in a public place with a blood alcohol level exceeding two per mille under any circumstances.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs also described the incident as unacceptable but said he does not believe it points to widespread systemic problems or a culture of excessive drinking within the police force.
The incident occurred during a town festival in Priekule over the weekend,
when a fight broke out involving several people. One man sustained serious injuries and later died in an ambulance despite efforts by emergency medical personnel to save him.
On Monday, the Kurzeme District Court ordered the suspect to remain in custody pending the investigation.
The Internal Security Bureau took over the criminal proceedings from the State Police in accordance with its jurisdiction. The case is being investigated under Section 125(3) of Latvia’s Criminal Law, which covers the intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm resulting in death through negligence.
According to information obtained by the LETA news agency, the detained officer is Andis Silnieks, a junior police inspector whose duties included emergency response operations.
The victim was a teacher at the Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School and head of its Fashion Design programme.
The officer had served in the State Police since September 2022 and had no prior disciplinary record. According to State Police Chief Armands Ruks, the suspect told investigators that he does not remember what happened.
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