Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged on Tuesday speeding up police reforms, the president's initiative aimed at improving the image of Russia's law enforcement agencies.
"I suppose that the document could be [drawn up] more quickly. Once it is ready, we will be able to not just discuss it, but submit to the State Duma for approval," Medvedev said ironically during a meeting dedicated to the issue in his Gorki residence outside Moscow.
He said he would submit the document to the Russian parliament's lower house himself, taking into consideration its importance.
Medvedev said the amendments to the Russian police legislation should help prevent corruption among police officials and make it impossible for them to use their position to suppress citizens' rights and freedoms.
He also said police officials should be given wider social benefits, adding that perhaps, a separate law should be drawn up for this goal.
The state of Russia's police has become a great concern after a number of high-profile police scandals, including the random shooting of several people in a supermarket by an off-duty police officer in April 2009.
In response to growing criticism, Medvedev ordered a large-scale reform of the police department in December 2009, including cuts in officer numbers and the increase of salaries.
GORKI, July 6 (RIA Novosti)
