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 | Speeches | | |
The President of the Republic at the 83rd Anniversary of the Estonian Police on November 12, 2001, in Tartu12.11.2001
Dear Minister,
dear Rector,
dear Director General of the Police,
dear policemen,
Today, Estonian Police is celebrating its 83rd anniversary. Estonian Police has had to start from the beginning twice, and both beginnings have been difficult.
After the founding of the Republic of Estonia, it was also necessary to build up an internal security system of the state in order to enable the state to function normally. The government addressed this task in November 1918, immediately after the collapse of Germany. Crime had increased considerably due to the long war and changes in the society. According to the orders of the Government, Aleksander Hellat started to take over the police management from the Germans on November 12, 1918. The structures for maintaining public order were still to be built up, and the times were complicated. The Republic of Estonia had to defend her independence in the War of Liberty. Despite that, the Constituent Assembly adopted the law regulating the work of the police already in the next year, in 1919.
From the times of Russian Tsarist power, a negative attitude towards the police had prevailed. Also eighty years ago, the mobility of the police staff was high, and it was hard to find professional and brave men for police work. The leaders of the police decided education to be the most effective weapon to counteract this situation. Only proper education will enable us to build up police forces and set them to work, and to build up a disciplined system of officials. The police school was established, different courses were organised, and the police facilities and equipment were constantly improved. All this also increased the respect towards policemen and police work. By the end of the nineteen thirties, the Estonian police organisation was excellent for those times, a policeman was respected in his village or his town, and furthermore - the percentage of detected crimes had grown to 70. Of manslaughter and robbery and murder cases, even up to 98-99 per cent were detected. These are not mere numbers; such results indicate that the police forces can develop only as a result of professional and disciplined work. Only studious staff and professional work enable the police to develop.
Also the occupying powers understood this. After occupying Estonia, they immediately started the destruction of our police, for they feared those honest and patriotic men.
Ten years ago, Estonian Police started in equally difficult conditions. And also today, it must accomplish equal results.
Guaranteeing good education for policemen and strengthening of discipline is the foundation for building up trust in the police. Of course, good technical equipment and working conditions for the police must be guaranteed.
Today, I am very glad to see that despite various problems, the confidence in Estonian Police is growing. You work hard, and most of your work usually goes unnoticed. You do a lot of routine, but very necessary work to guarantee the safety of your fellow citizens. Our police is increasing the co-operation with social organisations and stands with its face towards the people. For many people, this is unusual, because such behaviour was unknown during the Soviet occupation. Then, the protection of public order was a tool for repression, today, it is a friend of honest citizens.
The faults of the police and abuse of power are often addressed. Of course, all such cases deserve to be denounced and disclosed. Yet we should give even more recognition and attention to the men and women who work honestly and conscientiously. And in the police, they have an absolute majority. We must learn from our mistakes, not repeat them. Keep up your diligence. In this, you have my wholehearted support.
The changes in international situation also necessitate our police to face new tasks. But perhaps the tasks are not new? Perhaps it is simply necessary to concentrate more on the areas of work that have received less attention in the past? Prevention of organised crime has always been one of the tasks of the police. Throughout the ages, terrorism and organised crime have used similar action schemes and networks, which are often intertwined. Thus, today we have to renew our tactics in the struggle against drugs traffic, illegal migration, money laundering, corruption and other organised crimes.
Resolve in the struggle against corruption is especially important. The sums circulating in the hands of international criminal groupings have grown to unnerving heights, thus enabling the criminals to take advantage of the politicians and officials and to lull the watchful eye of the public. Already today, steps must be taken to prevent this danger.
Dear policemen,
I wish you firm resolve and unyielding diligence. The safety of our society depends on your success.
Your work is part of securing the future of Estonia.
More power to your elbow!
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