Lithuanian Police Urged to Prioritize Contraband Risk After Officer Arrests

Lithuania's Ministry of the Interior (VRM) has recommended that the Police Department enhance its focus on corruption risks, particularly concerning contraband smuggling. This recommendation follows an internal audit initiated after the arrest of 13 law enforcement officers – 10 police and 3 border guards – suspected of collaborating with smuggling networks.

The VRM's investigation assessed how the Police Department organized internal controls and implemented anti-corruption measures. The findings indicated that while systems were in place, they needed to be more oriented towards identifying and prioritizing the greatest corruption risks. The audit stressed the importance of consistently analyzing information gathered from various investigations to inform decisions at a systemic level.

Key recommendations include a more concentrated effort on assessing contraband risks and identifying regions where officers might face a higher likelihood of illicit influence. The ministry also suggested developing targeted internal control and anti-corruption measures for these high-risk areas. Furthermore, the audit emphasized that the effectiveness of anti-corruption initiatives should be measured by their real impact on reducing risks, not just by their quantity.

Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas has approved the audit's proposals. The General Commissioner of Police has been advised to revise the organization of the corruption prevention system, grounding it more firmly in risk analysis and prioritization. The goal is to strengthen the resilience of the police force against corruption and ensure more effective oversight and coordination among relevant departments, including criminal intelligence and internal control units.