Belarusian leadership is satisfied with control over law enforcement albeit conflicts in Interior Ministry multiply

Three district militiamen from the Borisov district police department, who had refused to go to work, have been fired. Controversies in the Interior Ministry have multiplied, pointing to systemic problems and a decrease in the motivation among officers. This spring, police officers from Krichev complained to Interior Minister Igor Shunevich about their local leadership, which led to their dismissal and unsuccessful attempts to restore their rights in the court. Nevertheless, the Interior Minister was promoted to acknowledge problems at the grassroots level. The government aims to boost motivation in law enforcement with pay rises and additional benefits, such as preferential pensions. Yet the authorities do not consider the MIA reform, which could reduce the workload, bureaucracy and crime detection plans. The Belarusian leadership is interested in the loyalty of law enforcement, however would not reform the existing system due to fears to lose control over it. Law enforcement has once again proved its importance to the authorities in February-March 2017, when it clamped down on the protest movement.