In his opening remarks at the meeting, the President noted that the Interior Ministry’s work has come in for a lot of public scrutiny of late and there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that it is in need of serious reform.
Mr Medvedev recalled that on December 24, 2009, he signed an executive order on measures to improve the ministry’s work. The order outlines measures concerning the ministry’s powers and jurisdiction, and the status of its officers, the system of material incentives for Interior Ministry staff, questions of liability and responsibility, and organisational issues – in other words, practically all aspects of the ministry’s operation.
The President also raised the issue of arms classified as less-lethal weapons that have been used in a number of recent crimes, and instructed the ministry to draw up rules governing these weapons’ sale and circulation, making amendments to the laws on arms sale and possession if need be.
Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev presented the President with proposals on improving the ministry’s performance. Mr Medvedev gave a number of instructions on drafting legal acts and regulations on these matters.
Taking part in the meeting were Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Naryshkin, Secretary of the Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Alexei Gromov, Presidential Aide Oleg Markov, Presidential Aide and Head of the Presidential Control Directorate Konstantin Chuichenko, Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council Valentin Sobolev, and Deputy Head of the Presidential State Legal Directorate Sergei Komissarov.