Latvia’s State Police officers are subject to regular checks, but it is impossible to organise the force in a way that allows every officer to be individually monitored every day, State Police Chief Armands Ruks told the LETA news agency.
His comments come after two recent alcohol-related incidents involving police officers. Last weekend, an off-duty police officer allegedly beat a teacher to death while intoxicated during a public festival in Priekule. On Wednesday, a police employee was detained near Aizkraukle after allegedly causing a road traffic accident while under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene.
Ruks said the greatest challenge is monitoring officers’ behaviour outside working hours.
“We have no legal right to ask an employee what they are doing during their time off. That would not comply with any existing regulations,” he said.
Referring to the officer involved in the Priekule case, Ruks noted that he had graduated from a sports school, maintained good physical fitness, had shown no signs of addiction and had previously received positive performance assessments.
The police chief stressed that
the investigation would establish all the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The cause of death and the person responsible must be determined. We do not tolerate such behaviour, and there can be no suggestion that the State Police would justify such a serious crime,” Ruks said.
He added that an internal service investigation has already been launched and will also examine whether any systemic shortcomings contributed to the incident. Ruks acknowledged that disciplinary violations do occur within the police force, with the most common off-duty offences involving drink-driving and inappropriate behaviour on social media.
According to Ruks, police officers are not the only professionals who become involved in such incidents, but public expectations of law enforcement officers are significantly higher. He also argued that the causes of such behaviour should be viewed in a broader societal context, including Latvia’s high level of alcohol consumption and the stressful situations officers routinely face in their work.
“A direct supervisor must pay attention to warning signs
that may indicate addiction problems or other personal difficulties. Psychological support is available, departments regularly work with their staff, and if addiction is suspected, an extraordinary meeting of the central medical commission can be convened to determine whether a medically identifiable dependency exists,” he explained.
Ruks also said he had ordered an internal audit to assess the effectiveness of the existing control system and disciplinary oversight mechanisms, while identifying additional measures that could help prevent similar incidents in the future.
At the same time, an internal service investigation has been launched against Ruks himself at the request of Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava. The inquiry will examine whether there are grounds for disciplinary proceedings. If disciplinary violations are identified, a formal disciplinary case could be opened, potentially resulting in various sanctions.
Ruks explained that the initial deadline for the investigation is one month,
although it may be extended depending on the complexity of the case. The official conducting the investigation will be appointed by the interior minister.
In an interview with Latvian Radio, Ruks also said that he has no intention of resigning over the recent incidents involving police personnel.
As previously reported, Dombrava requested the investigation into the State Police chief, saying in an interview with TV3’s 900 sekundes that it would examine “what was organised and how.”
“It is unacceptable that incidents like these have occurred just days apart,” the minister said.
Following the tragedy in Priekule, Dombrava also announced that mandatory morning alcohol tests will be introduced for certain police officers across Latvia as a preventive measure. He explained that, after requesting explanations from the management of the South Kurzeme Police Station, it became clear that routine alcohol testing had not previously been standard practice. Under the new rules, officers who carry firearms and drive police vehicles as part of their duties will be required to undergo alcohol testing every morning.
The minister added that the internal investigation at the South Kurzeme Police Station could ultimately result in changes to its leadership.
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