Prime Minister of Lithuania

European Confederation of Police
First Vice President Mr. Jan Schonkeren
EUROCOP - 617, rue de Neudorf
L-2220 Luxembourg

Dear First Vice President, Vilnius, 8 May 2009 , No 26-2926

In response to your organisation's letter addressed to the President, Speaker of the Seimas,
Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the Republic of Lithuania regarding the police budget, let
me inform you on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania that the public order and
security are and will continue to be of highest priority irrespective of the current economic
difficulties Lithuania as weil as the EU have been facing.
While certain austerity measures, ineluding the cuts on the allocations for the police budget,
have to be taken in order 10 address the current financial crisis, a special note has been taken of the
commitments of Lithuania as a partner in the Schengen area, as weil as the significance of the
functions of police services for the state. Based on the data provided by the Ministry of Finance, the
budget of the Police Department under the Ministry of Interior is subject 10 4 % cut, while the
salary fund will be reduced but by 1 %. This will be achieved through the cuts on high-income
salaries (categories 15-20) of statutory police officers. The state austerity measures have also
impacted funding for the rehabilitation of the police infrastructure. However, the declining
allocations for the infrastructure will in the first place reflect in the suspension of the renovation of
certain police administrative buildings and putting off the acquisition of fixed assets which are not
essential for the provision ofthe basic services.
It is highly probable that the economic downturn may give rise to the crime rate, therefore a
elose watch has been kept on criminal developments in order to be ready to provide a response~
early as possible when need arises. In order to improve and speed-up pre-trial investigation which
would require a smaller number of working officers and would raise efficiency, relevant legislation
proposals have been drafted. Furthermore, with a view to retaining the most experienced and
qualified officers in the police service, astate pension scheme for officers has been improved.
Certain organisational measures have also been planned. Depending on the fmandal status
of the country, police service rationalization has been foreseen, which, as the first step, should
include external audit ofthe police service, analysis ofthe areas for improvement and measures and
ways to raise efficiency in perfonnance and management.
Notable that a constructive dialogue with the local police federation has been opened up and
currently internal resources are being reviewed which following the reallocation should ensure that
the priority services of preserving public order are provided for.
The area of the EU Justice and Internal Affairs has been of a very dynamic nature, and the
emerging changes have had a vital importance for the EU citizens. In this context, Lithuania in its
decision-making is fully aware of and assumes the responsibilities, within its competence, for the
public security of the Lithuanian as weil as EU citizens.