Latvian Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava has called for an internal service investigation into State Police Chief Armands Ruks following the fatal incident involving an off-duty police officer in Priekule.
Speaking on TV3’s 900 sekundes, Dombrava said the investigation would assess “what was organised and how” within the police force.
“It is unacceptable that such incidents are recurring within just a few days of each other,” the minister said.
As previously reported, Dombrava also announced that, following the tragedy in Priekule, mandatory morning alcohol tests will be introduced for certain police officers across Latvia as a preventive measure.
The minister said that after the incident, in which an off-duty police officer allegedly beat a man to death while intoxicated, explanations were requested from the management of the South Kurzeme Police Station regarding measures to prevent alcohol abuse among officers. Based on the responses received, Dombrava concluded that routine alcohol testing had not been standard practice. As a result,
stricter requirements will be introduced, including mandatory daily alcohol tests for officers who carry firearms
and drive police vehicles as part of their duties.
Dombrava said the internal investigation launched at the South Kurzeme Police Station could ultimately lead to changes in its leadership.
He added that there have been no major developments in the criminal investigation itself. The suspected offender remains in custody, while the Internal Security Bureau (IDB) has taken over the investigation. The minister reiterated that, regardless of the fatal outcome, it is unacceptable under any circumstances for a police officer to be in a public place with a blood alcohol level exceeding 2.0 per mille.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs also commented on the case in an interview with TV3, calling the incident unacceptable. However, he said he does not believe it necessarily points to widespread systemic problems or a culture of regular alcohol abuse within the State Police.
The incident occurred over the weekend during Priekule City Festival,
when a fight broke out involving several people. One man suffered 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 detention of the police officer suspected of fatally assaulting the victim.
The Internal Security Bureau has formally taken over the criminal case from the State Police. Criminal proceedings have been launched under Section 125(3) of Latvia’s Criminal Law, covering the intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm resulting in death through negligence.
According to information available to LETA, the detained officer is Andis Silnieks, a junior police inspector whose duties involved emergency response. The victim was a teacher at Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School and head of its Fashion Design programme.
Silnieks joined the State Police in September 2022 and had no previous disciplinary record. According to State Police Chief Armands Ruks, the officer has told investigators that he does not remember what happened.
Read also: Latvia plans mandatory morning alcohol tests for some police officers after fatal Priekule incident