Theme: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

PM Victor Ponta: Compared to other European countries, Romania has a citizen safety degree well above the average of the region and Europe

First of all, I do not make groundless gestures or to comply with the PM job description, I wanted to participate today in the activity evaluation in order to tell you that I have not changed my opinions from good times in which I did not make politics and I was just Prosecutor. I have the same respect for the idea of police, and I have the same appreciation towards the fact that, in the Romanian public institutions’ average, Romanian Police is above average. And it is something I can see with all pragmatism and objectivity. I prefer to see the full half of the glass, it is much more important. I think that the way the Romanian Police developed these years, the performances you have achieved and about which, there has been spoken very rarely when you manage and do your duty, this does not appear as necessarily a piece of news, but I think it is the most important thing. There are realities hardly to deny, the fact that compared to other European countries, Romania has a citizen safety degree well above the average of the region and Europe. We owe it to you first and foremost, and I wanted to be here today to convey you this directly, to congratulate you, and to tell you that I have further on confidence as Prime Minister and especially as citizen, in what the Romanian Police does, and to urge you to do your best for this confidence degree to be kept and boosted over the next time. The second thing: I also came to assure you, I know very well many of those present here, at least from the first rows, I know very well the problems the Police was confronted with, I participated in searches in those good times about which I am talking, I know whether or not was gasoline, or we could bring witnesses, how many policemen are in office and how many in the street. Perhaps not too many things have improved in the past ten years. I know, alike you that it is easier to want than to achieve and that the things we manage to achieve are sometimes well below the expectations. Last year, with Mr. Minister Rus, we managed to cover some debts, first towards the Police Academy graduates. With Minister Dusa, we managed to cover a part of the 2011 debts, debts towards you and the other policemen. Here came 2013 and we have debs on 2012. We managed to draft a budget with Minister Stroe which we both know, that at a certain time, we have to increase it as it does not cover the daily needs of the Romanian Police. There are things I know, I want you to be sure that I have not forgotten them, and that every day, we are trying to resolve a part of these problems, without the claim at a certain time, they will all be resolved, that would be an ideal world in which police would not be needed. We would never live in that ideal world, so that together with us and the society, we try to make all good possible things. There is another important message, and I am glad here, Mr. Presidential Advisor Fota spoke about an extremely important thing. The danger existed and will always exist, that of politicking police. Then, I came to tell you that I consider the appointment of Mr. Toba as Head of the General Inspectorate of Police, he held this office in other Governments as well and he remained irrespective of the change of Ministers, and he conveys that message of stability you so much need. As you know, I have not considered necessary to take the head of Gorj police to Bucharest. The main message is that Ministers come, then leave, Governments change, and are changed. The current Government, I hope to ensure Mr. Director Maior that he will stay more so that we have stability. The most important is that for you, to have from me, as Prime Minister, and from Mr. Stroe, as Minister, that separation you need from the political factor. I do not see the policemen from central or local structures as enemies of local authorities, local politicians, but in no case, do I see them as some subordinates or people whose career depends on locally elected or MPs from a certain area. You will have my direct support so that you can keep your independence and objectivity in the absence of which, police cannot be efficient. I want and I will encourage that all procedures to secure this stability to be met further on for all offices. At the same time, stability does not mean lack of responsibility. When cases emerge, mistakes affecting first your image as professional institution, I think you ought to be tough and quick in the measures you are going to take. I studied together with the Minister and Questor Toba the legal provisions and I am ready to back you for the measures taken by you, to sanction those involved from the institution, for it to function quickly and attain its aim as quick as possible, because it is extremely important for you and Romania, to enjoy the respect and prestige without which a society cannot operate. There were cases which affected your image, you treated them and you should further treat them in the same manner. The most important thing besides the number of cops, cars, funds for uniforms or food is the trust of the people that you do your duty and the attitude of policemen, less of managing staff, because people have less contact with you, both of those working directly with the citizen, the trust is more important than any law, and you win that trust first and foremost. I came here today to tell you that I will never be on the side of those who think making image or winning votes hitting a fundamental state institution such as the Romanian Police, I am here once again to thank you for the efforts you made this year, in which the Government I am leading needed many times you to patrol on streets, to take part in important actions, to counter the crime phenomena, and I tell you that together, with respect and friendship always proven to certain state institutions, Prosecutor’s Office, Police, we will solve a part of problems, the others remaining for the future Governments. I want to thank you for your work and tell you that for me, it is a pleasure to know that I am living in a country where the Romanian Police is respected and is efficient. Thank you.