National Police Chief Sounds the Alarm
Ivan Vygivsky, the head of Ukraine's National Police, has raised serious concerns about how involving officers in mobilization efforts is damaging the force's reputation and eroding public confidence. He stressed that these duties add an extra burden to police personnel, who have historically not been responsible for such tasks. Traditionally, this role has belonged to Territorial Recruitment Centers (TCCs).
In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Vygivsky remarked:
'How can the public evaluate us based on trust after we take part in mobilization activities? I just don’t understand it.' - Ivan Vygivsky
He added that while police officers are ready to carry out these functions, they should not be the primary participants in the mobilization process.
Challenges and Problems
Presidential Office Head Kyrylo Budanov has described draft evasion as a 'massive problem' in his own comments. Vygivsky noted that despite the police force’s readiness to take on assignments, their core duties remain unclear due to this added workload.
He emphasized that prolonged involvement in mobilization activities is harming the police image, which has been carefully built since 2015:
'That is why I say this is negative for us and very damaging to our reputation. Since 2015, we have been shaping the police image and building public trust—and now that trust is simply being destroyed.' - Ivan Vygivsky
The National Police chief’s statement highlights the critical need to preserve public trust in law enforcement, especially as police take on extra responsibilities tied to mobilization. Vygivsky calls for a clear separation of duties between the police and military structures to avoid undermining the trust built over the past decade. This situation may require a rethinking of mobilization procedures to prevent lasting damage to the police’s public image and its relationship with the community.
As the National Police grapples with the impact of mobilization duties, the situation highlights broader concerns within law enforcement. In a related development, the Ukrainian Interior Minister has mandated an investigation into the police's response during a terror attack in Kyiv, further emphasizing the challenges faced by the force. This inquiry underscores the ongoing issues surrounding police effectiveness and public trust, which are increasingly crucial in the context of current events. For more details, see the full report on the police inquiry into the Kyiv attack response.