Police officers to use weapons only in cases of "absolute necessity"

“Amendments to the Ministry of Interior Act being discussed currently provide for the imposition of the "absolute necessity" standard on the use of weapons and other police tools by police officers,” announced Minister of Interior Tsvetan Tsvetanov during the presentation of the reforms in the Council of Ministers.

The Minister of Interior added that the changes were expected to be adopted by April and the updated law should become efficient in June or July. His deputy Vesselin Vuchkov explained that Bulgaria had been convicted in Strasbourg on 30 cases of unlawful use of firearms by law enforcement officers. "These cases refer to the period before 2004, but it is obvious that the current law creates problems. Therefore, we will soon finalise the texts and submit them to the National Assembly," explained Vuchkov. He added that the amendments were aimed at "restricting the use of weapons and other police tools in cases of non-violent offenses and when the legal target is achieved."

According to the Deputy Minister, the introduction of the "absolute necessity” standard is required under the European Convention on Human Rights. "We will try to convince the MPs that the Ministry of Interior Act should be amended in order to ensure the implementation of the required under the European Convention standard," said Vuchkov.

“The merger of the Security and the Criminal Police in a common directorate - National Police, is under way,” said Minister Tsvetanov. “The suggestion that law enforcement officers will be rewarded not only with a statement of gratitude and leave, but with a financial bonus is being considered,” said the Minister of Interior further. "The average expenses for a policeman in Bulgaria amount to €10,000, while in the EU countries they are not less than €20,000," commented Tsvetanov.

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