Reforms of the Russian Police and Staffing Gap Consequences

Abstract

This paper analyzes the structure, reforms, and current challenges facing the Russian police under the Ministry of the Interior (MI). With nearly one million officers, the police play a crucial role in maintaining public order and enforcing criminal law. Significant reforms in the early 2010s included a name change from "militsiia" to "politsiia" and the introduction of public accountability measures, but also resulted in increased centralization and the retention of performance evaluation systems that prioritize clearance rates over community engagement. Following the creation of the National Guard in 2016, which drew resources away from the police, staffing shortages became acute, exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine. By 2024, the MI reported a shortage of 152,000 personnel, with low salaries and working conditions contributing to high turnover rates. The analysis highlights a trend of feminization within the ranks and an overwhelming bureaucratic burden that hampers effective policing. Despite a general decline in violent crime, police are increasingly tasked with addressing offenses committed by combatants who come back from the frontline, further complicating their operational capacity amid structural inefficiencies.