Oleksandr Turchynov: Within the shortest timeframes, we have created a fundamentally new law enforcement system, oriented towards the protection of the constitutional rights of citizens, society, and state interests

Ukraine took the path of reforms, broke the old system of the law enforcement bodies, thereby, instead of the Soviet-era militia we now have the National Police. This was stressed by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov during his speech at the celebration of the Day of the National Police of Ukraine, which took place today in Kiev at the Sophia Square.

"I remember the end of February - the beginning of March 2014, when one could not find any militia officer in uniform on the Kyiv streets burned with fire. They were tritely hiding from people who defended their right to live in a free country", - the NSDC Secretary stated.

According to Mr. Turchynov, the old distorted law enforcement system "gave rise not only to violence and fear, not only to helplessness in critical situations but the most dangerous - it engendered betrayal".

"After the Revolution of Dignity, the first units, created by the Ministry of the Internal Affairs in the most dangerous conditions our country found itself in, were the volunteer battalions. Together with the Armed Forces and National Guard, they were the first to face and stop the enemy", - Mr. Turchynov said.

He also noted that Ukraine chose the path of reform of the law enforcement bodies. "We broke the old system, and now instead of the Soviet-era militia Ukraine has the National Police", - he said expressing the conviction that the modern law enforcement bodies will not disappoint Ukrainians. "The key criterion of your work is the reliable protection of our citizens", - Oleksandr Turchynov underscored.

"I believe that you will overcome with dignity all the challenges you face. All the tasks the country sets out to you, - in the time of war when the rule of law should be protected in difficult conditions of economic crisis, you will fulfill them properly. And Ukraine will have a European-type national police not inferior to the best law enforcement bodies of the leading countries of the world", - the NSDC Secretary stated addressing the audience.