Latvia’s Interior Minister, Janis Dombrava, has called for an internal investigation of State Police chief Armands Ruks, LSM reports. Earlier, an off-duty police officer killed a man in Priekule and another police officer caused a road traffic accident near Aizkraukle, both while severely intoxicated, LETA and LSM reported. Speaking in an interview with TV3, Dombrava said that the incidents pointed to “systematic problems” in the State Police’s operations. He announced that mandatory morning alcohol tests would be introduced for police officers who routinely carry firearms or drive police vehicles, LETA reported. In an interview with Latvijas Radio, Ruks insisted that he had no intention of resigning because of the incidents, LETA reported. He noted that it was impossible to monitor each individual police officer every day. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said that the incidents did not necessarily point to widespread systemic problems or regular alcohol abuse within the State Police, LETA reported.
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