International partners handed over mobile forensic laboratories to the National Police
Today, December 16, the transfer of ten mobile forensic laboratories took place. The cars received with special equipment will help the police more effectively investigate serious crimes and fight organized crime.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Mary Akopian, Deputy Head of the National Police of Ukraine Maxim Tsuckiridze, Deputy Head of the EU Consultative Mission (CMEC) in Ukraine Fredrik Wesslau, Head of Operations of Section 1 “Good Governance and Democratization” EU Delegations to Ukraine Xavier Camus and Head of Programmes of UNOPS Regional Office Marko Vuyachich.
Special mobile laboratories for forensic specialists were acquired as part of a set of EU support measures for Ukraine, in particular the “Law and Police” programme with the support of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine.
Mobile laboratories were received by forensic specialists from nine regions of Ukraine — Kyiv, Odessa, Lviv, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky, Poltava and Chernivtsi. One of these laboratories will be transferred to the Main Investigative Department of the National Police of Ukraine.
Mary Akopian noted that mobile forensic laboratories are the modern technology that will help to collect evidence faster, faster and better at the scene of serious and especially serious crimes.
“The main goal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Police is to ensure the rule of law in Ukraine and to ensure human rights. And for this we need modern technology, high qualification of our officers. We are grateful to our partners who continue to consistently support the Ministry of the Interior and the National Police. The Delegation of the European Union, the Consultative Mission of the European Union, the Office for the Implementation of the UN Projects in Ukraine are our partners who understand very well what we need to improve the level of service of the National Police. Therefore, we are grateful for such consistent support,” the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine stressed.
According to Deputy Head of the National Police Maxim Tsuckiridze, 1 million 800 thousand criminal offenses are committed annually in the state. Every 5th crime is committed in conditions of non-obviousness, that is, the person who committed it hid his intentions. Disclosure and documentation of such crimes requires special knowledge and modern European technology.
“Thanks to the Law and Police project, funded by the European Union, in particular the EU Advisory Mission, we now get 10 modern mobile forensic mobile laboratories equipped with the highest and most modern consumables. In particular, ballistic, biological, trasological and odorological suitcases,” said Deputy Head of the National Police Maxim Tsuckiridze.
In addition, Maxim Tsuckiridze noted that the received equipment will help forensic specialists in practice to apply modern methods of proper and effective documentation of crimes, which are used today in leading European countries. He also thanked foreign colleagues for fruitful cooperation and constant support of the department.
“More than 95 percent of all crime scene inspections are conducted by forensic support departments. In order to perform the work qualitatively, specialists must have good equipment and professional knowledge. We welcome the positive changes in the department and will continue to support both the National Police and the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” said Fredrik Weslau, Deputy Head of the EU Advisory Mission to Ukraine.
Head of Operations for Section 1 “Good Governance and Democratization” of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Xavier Camus noted that international partners support the reform process in Ukraine in the long term. In particular, through the Pravo-Police program, diverse support is provided, namely consultations, experts, as well as equipment to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the work of the National Police.
Marko Vujacic noted that representatives of UNOPS are of the opinion that police reform is a necessary component for ensuring the rule of law in Ukraine.
“Our support is provided in the context of the Pravo-Police program, which provides for the provision of high-quality equipment, vehicles. In addition, training, expert support and other forms of assistance are also provided, which together contribute to the modernization, transformation of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and ensuring their ability to counter organized crime,” said Marko Vuyachich, Head of Programs at the Regional Office of UNOPS.
Department of Communications of the National Police of Ukraine
Photo by Oleg Suprun
