What day is it?

Ensuring order in public places, controlling traffic, solving crimes, patrolling the streets, protecting every citizen of the state from anyone’s criminal actions – this is far from a complete list of functions assigned to employees National Police of Ukraine. However, very often this dangerous work remains unnoticed, because most people do not think about its importance until they find themselves in a difficult situation. Every year on July 4, our state celebrates the holiday — Day of the National Police of Ukrainewhich was created specifically to honor the work of Ukrainian police officers and emphasize their important role.

How did the idea to celebrate the Day of the National Police of Ukraine come about?

Until 2014, from the time of the declaration of independence, the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine were essentially guided by the legislation established in the USSR, because the Ukrainian “Militia Law” was an analogue of the corresponding Soviet law. Real reforms in this area were unprofitable for representatives of the authorities, because the police always covered up corruption and criminal activities of high-ranking officials

Maidan 2013-2014

It took the tragic events on the Maidan in 2013-2014 for society to start demanding real changes in the law enforcement system. After all, instead of protecting their citizens, the police used violence and firearms against them. The police and courts also served to intimidate and persecute activists who were supporters of Maidan ideas. Therefore, after the Revolution of Dignity, the reform of law enforcement bodies became an urgent task for the government of Ukraine.

In the first days after Viktor Yanukovych was removed from power and fled, Arsen Avakov was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs. One of his first steps in office was the establishment of the Civic Council to develop a plan for national reforms. In the fall of 2014, a law enforcement system reform project appeared and work on the legislative framework began. Two bills were prepared – “On the police and police activity” and “On the national police”. The second draft law eventually won the support of the parliament.

The Ukrainian authorities decided to borrow the successful experience of reforming the Georgian police, so they invited Eku Zguladze, who at one time worked as the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, to the team of reformers. On December 17, 2014, Zguladze was appointed to a similar position in our country.

First oaths

On July 4, 2015, the first ceremony of swearing loyalty to the state of employees of the newly created police – patrolmen took place on Sofia Square in Kyiv. After four weeks of testing by this service, the law “On the National Police” was signed by the president. Khatiya Dekanoidze, who was previously an advisor to the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and even earlier, the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, took the leading position in the National Police.

Police Law

The new law on the police came into force in November 2015 and the reforms of the system became official. One of the main changes was the institutional division of the police from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This made it possible to implement an important European principle — the depoliticization of the police. According to this principle, the police are responsible for the prevention, detection and investigation of crimes, while the ministry is responsible for strategic decisions and reform processes. Another advantage is the establishment of the procedure for the use of non-lethal weapons at the level of law. In addition, the police became one of the first law enforcement agencies to introduce competitive hiring procedures.

So after passing the competitive selection and training, first in Kyiv, and later in Lviv, Odesa and other cities, there were no longer policemen, but new police officers – in stylish uniforms, in modern cars, without experience of working in the previous corrupt system. Despite the total distrust of law enforcement agencies, the presence of patrol officers on the streets, who are obliged to protect public order, gave ordinary Ukrainians a sense of security.

At the same time, the process of retraining the current employees of the former police force with the aim of selecting people capable of working in the new structure continued. Re-certifications lasted more than a year, while they were planned for three months, and as a result, about 7% of police officers were dismissed.

New response system

Subsequently, among the key moments of the National Police reforms was the creation of a new response system with single contact centers and a dispatch service, as well as situation centers for modern analysis and information processing. The introduction of video surveillance systems allows deterring crime and having evidence in the event of crimes. The formation of special groups to respond to cases of domestic violence is also an important event.

Of course, there is no question of the complete completion of the reform of the law enforcement system yet, and there are still many shortcomings in its work. However, it is impossible not to recognize the high level of professionalism of the vast majority of Ukrainian police officers, thanks to which every citizen can expect proper protection and assistance.

Regarding the professional holiday — Day of the National Police of Ukraine, then during 2016-2017 this event was celebrated on August 4, the day when the law “On the National Police” was signed by the president. Starting in 2018, the date was changed to July 4 — in memory of the day when new patrol officers first swore to be loyal to the Ukrainian people.

Day of the National Police of Ukraine in history

• 2014
  February 27

  Arsen Avakov was appointed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to the position of Minister of Internal Affairs.
• 2015
  January 19

  Eka Zguladze published a statement about the first reform in the law enforcement system — the liquidation of the State Automobile Inspection and the beginning of the selection of candidates for the patrol police.
• 2015
  July 2

  The Law of Ukraine “On the National Police” was adopted and entered into force on November 7, 2015.
• 2015
  December 9

  The National Police Day of Ukraine, which is to be celebrated on August 4 every year, has been established by presidential decree.
• 2018
  April 4

  The President made changes to the decree on National Police Day. The date of the celebration was July 4, the day of the first swearing-in of Ukrainian patrol policemen.
• 2019
  May

  The new project “Community Police Officer” has begun the next step in the reform of the Ukrainian police. According to this innovation, each community will have a police officer who will live and work on its territory.

Frequent Questions and answers on the Day of the National Police of Ukraine

How to celebrate the Day of the National Police of Ukraine?

Every year on the 4th of July, employees of all units and departments National Police celebrate their professional holiday, that is why solemn events are arranged for them – gatherings at which direct management and representatives of local authorities award the best policemen with certificates of honor and other awards. Therefore, on this day, you should definitely congratulate your friends and acquaintances who work in the National Police, and wish them quality reforms, professional growth and respect from the citizens of Ukraine.

On the holiday, we should remember the positive experience of communication with representatives of the Ukrainian police and share these stories on social networks, thus expressing our gratitude and support.

In your free time, you can devote a few hours to watching any exciting film about police work, because this popular film genre, although not too true to reality, still provides an opportunity to empathize with brave and decent police heroes all the dangers and nobility of their work.

Why is this day important?

This day is an opportunity for all citizens to remember the role played by the police in our country. After all, a legal state is only one that is able to provide security to its citizens when they exercise their rights and freedoms.

At the same time, Ukrainians still have little trust in the police, because quite often we have to observe bribery, participation in smuggling and corruption schemes by law enforcement officers. Therefore, the Day of the National Police of Ukraine is an important event for society – both in terms of recognizing the achievements and honoring the hard work of national policemen, and in recognizing the numerous problems that need to be solved

For example, it is necessary to carry out a reboot and successfully complete the renewal of the law enforcement system, introduce transparent selection for positions of the highest and middle ranks. Public control should also function in the country to prevent and identify cases of official abuse or ill-treatment of detainees in police stations. Such an aspect as staff turnover, which is caused, in particular, by the rather low level of wages of Ukrainian law enforcement officers, also needs attention. In addition, low salaries are one of the reasons for corruption among police officers.

When will we celebrate the Day of the National Police of Ukraine?