Interview MOLDPRES // Moldovan interior minister says ministry tries to have endowments at international standards for Interior Ministry's employees, with support of government, strategic partners

Exclusive interview given with the MOLDPRES State News Agency Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin

MOLDPRES: On June 25, 2024, the Republic of Moldova started its EU accession negotiations, and presently, the authorities are coordinating the bilateral screening stage. The Interior Ministry is responsible for Chapter 24: “Justice, Freedom, and Security” of the EU’s acquis. What is the level of compliance of the specialized legislation and the preparation of the Ministry's structures to initiate the current negotiation process itself?

Daniella Misail-Nichitin: The legislation in the field of internal affairs is partially aligned with that of the European Union. In this context, it is necessary to say that some alignment processes began long before the opening of accession negotiations, allowing the authorities to focus, at the current stage, only on the priority transposition framework. This first step represents a response to the fact that most of the acts which must be transposed are planned for 2025 and 2026.

Now, the adaptation of the regulations to the European acquis regarding Chapter 24 Justice, Freedom, Security, being a very complex one, we have launched the process of resizing the central apparatus of the Ministry, in order to maximize personnel capacity in achieving the goals set.

Thus, on the platform of the European Integration Working Group, the negotiation positions for the Roadmap, which includes Chapters 23 and 24 under the title “Rule of Law,” have been finalized. Also, we have followed and concluded the public consultation procedure of the Roadmap with the academic environment and civil society, and the document is expected to be soon approved by the government.

For Chapter 24, for which the Ministry is responsible, the Roadmap includes a string of actions for implementing and adjusting the legislation in the field, such as preparing the necessary mechanisms for implementation, involving actions that complement the legislation. It involves software for interconnection to European data systems, instructions, work regulations, authority empowerment, technical equipment, etc. We are not talking about creating new institutions, but establishing focal points – for instance, in the field of arms control, communication and data transmission on operational platforms such as Interpol, Europol, initiating entities specialized in the good work of the border, operationalizing the cyber lab, operationalizing the DNA lab, etc.

Also, on the component of fundamental rights and freedoms, we aim for alignment in the areas of crime prevention, illegal migration, inter-sectoral cooperation in combating criminality.

MOLDPRES: This year, the General Police Inspectorate received donations from partners worth 748 thousand euros. These include modern equipment, such as tablets, monitors, and body cameras. What other equipment or vehicles will police officers be equipped with, in order to respond effectively during interventions?

Daniella Misail-Nichitin: We are making efforts to transform the national police into a modern, efficient, transparent institution, capable of responding to current challenges, influences and effects caused by organized crime phenomena.

Thanks to the Together4Home Affairs platform, over the past few years, 14 new projects have been launched where the General Police Inspectorate is the beneficiary. The total value of the projects is over 25 million euros. Of the total projects launched in 2024 (29), the General Police Inspectorate is the primary beneficiary among all subdivisions.

Police achievements and equipment include:

•          Implementing SMART POLICE CAR (PICAR) solutions that improve data collection for community policing initiatives. Through this technology, rapid documentation of community or police incidents, automatic license plate reading, and vehicle identification, if desired, integration with traffic management systems, and road offense documentation occur quickly. Thanks to this technology, we enhance security and safety in the community and on public roads, thus making traffic participants more protected against dangers triggered by infringements of the legislation. At the same time, due to traffic surveillance, individuals are deterred from being irresponsible when driving or walking on public roads.

•          The DNA laboratory is another significant achievement. It was developed with both state budget funds and partner support. Since its recent opening in the second half of last year, September, four offenders have already been identified by forensic experts.

•          Commissioning the Cyber Lab (January 31, 2025) – promotes IT expertise development and provides a controlled environment for investigating cybersecurity incidents. By enhancing police investigative capacity online, we can create a safer virtual environment for citizens, more protected for children and safer for transactions and business.

•          Implementing portable camera solutions within the National Police is a short-term strategic priority aligned with the strategic directions of Moldova in public order and security management. Since this solution's implementation, the number of incidents involving police officers with body cameras has decreased. Due to these solutions, we have more professional and ethically aware police officers and more responsible citizens, contributing to a socially conducive environment for the harmonious development of society and communities.

•          In the last two years, with the support of several strategic partners, the National Police has benefited from the construction and renovation of several headquarters. In Chisinau, we have new headquarters, such as the National Investigation Inspectorate (NII) and the Technical-Criminalist and Judicial Expertise Center (TCJEC). Concurrently, at the sector level, among 174 police stations, 71 police buildings have been renovated and put into operation with governmental funding and strategic partnership.

•          To ensure police mobility, through projects developed with strategic partners, the national police received 121 transport units for free in 2024.

The support of strategic partners is extensive and significant in developing the capabilities of the entire internal affairs system. For example, we have a national project underway to implement secure and protected communications within all national security structures. This high technology benefits enhanced security services, which better protect communities against criminal activities and disinformation aggressions, stabilizing social peace. It's the TETRA communication system, for which we receive substantial support on behalf of the USA and the European Union.

MOLDPRES: Since January, salaries for Interior Ministry employees have increased by 9%. Higher salaries will be granted to police officers, border police, rescuers, firefighters, employees of the National Probation Inspectorate and Prison Administration. Will this provide employees with necessary incomes and keep them in the system, or does the Ministry still face personnel shortages?

Daniella Misail-Nichitin: The 9% salary increase helps people, but to motivate employees, we have a social package that still partially addresses needs. We provide a housing allowance, free public transport, continuous professional development at work through various training courses, including English and French learning, access to Interior Ministry sports facilities (Olympic swimming pool, training halls, stadiums), etc. Employees also benefit from additional annual vacation days.

Last year, we succeeded in making more employments than departures from the system, which is good. The personnel shortage is also lower than in previous years.

Indeed, the salary in the internal affairs system, within security institutions, is not the most attractive. However, in 2025, the average salary for a newly employed officer is about 12,700 lei, 909 lei more compared to 2024. With the support of the government and strategic partners, we strive to provide better working conditions and endow our employees with international-standard equipment. We make daily progress in this regard.

MOLDPRES: The war in Ukraine has significantly increased pressure on the Interior Ministry system, including due to increased traffic at the border. How secure are the country's borders today, especially in the context of drones being discovered in various sectors of the country?

Daniella Misail-Nichitin: Presently, Moldova's border has an enhanced level of security. Over the past two years, border management has been improved by a new law adapted to the requirements of the current times, considering the risk level. It is about Law No. 28/2024 on the state border of the Republic of Moldova, which went into effect on January 6, 2025.

At the same time, the staff of the General Inspectorate of the Border Police is highly professionally trained. The government and strategic partnerships have conducted training programs for border police at the highest level.

Significant progress has also been made in equipment by enhancing the mobility of border surveillance and control teams. There are more and better vehicles for patrolling and for the river border, we already have boats acquired. Also, thermal vision surveillance is conducted with modern technology, both on the ground and with unmanned aerial vehicles.

Verification teams at border crossings have mobile technologies for checking travel documents and quick access to databases.

Furthermore, we have the EU security hub in Chisinau, ensuring information exchange, and FRONTEX support teams act along the entire border. For 2025, we are operationalizing the Passenger Information Unit, which will actively contribute to enhancing national security, airport safety, better security for flights and passengers. E-gate technology will also be set, facilitating faster document processing, quicker detection of forged documents, and improved security for people.

As for drones detected in flight or debris identified on the ground by Interior Ministry employees, I inform you that the airspace is under the Ministry of Defense's responsibility. Each time overflight is observed near the state border, the Border Police goes on alert and notifies the Ministry of Defense. Moreover, the flight paths of objects are tracked to see if they impact the ground on our national territory.

I would advise the population to report to Service 112 immediately, in case they spot flying object debris on the ground and not touch them, as they can be dangerous. Police teams will promptly arrive, in order to protect citizen.

MOLDPRES: Recently, more police officers have reported bribery attempts on behalf of citizens. Does corruption among Interior Ministry employees stay a systemic vice?

Daniella Misail-Nichitin:  Yes, there is a rise in police reports regarding bribery attempts against them. There are nearly 400 such cases in 2024. The result is due to employees' awareness that integrity is crucial and healthy for professional career development, performance and self-respect. We strive to make citizens understand that their act of offering money is as illegal as of those who receive it.

As for corruption in the system, its rate is small compared to the number of employees, standing at 0.6% for 2024, but yes, there are still those committing this act. In 2024, 88 criminal cases were initiated for bribery. We aim for zero tolerance towards corruption and other illegalities by our employees in their duty activities.

We undertake informational and educational activities, in order to enhance employees’ integrity and raise public awareness about the seriousness of these acts.

MOLDPRES: Ms. Daniella Misail-Nichitin, you have held the position of Interior Minister since November 2024. In this mandate, what are the priority actions for the coming year to be carried out at the Ministry? What transformations will the internal affairs system undergo?

Daniella Misail-Nichitin: The European integration is the main priority – which refers to aligning national public affairs legislation with the European one. More importantly, we aim to adjust the present mechanisms to European working methods.

Then we plan Regionalization of the public order system, in order to ensure a better response within the community and clarify competences between the police and carabineers. We are set to provide high-quality services to the community and citizens, in order to create a secure, stable, and safe social and business environment, allowing optimal development at all societal levels. Concurrently, we aim to maintain and ensure public order to the highest standard, get involved in continuous dialogue with society, and guarantee a conducive environment for social development.

The MD alert service by year-end is among the challenges awaited for years – to notify citizens timely about potential dangers.

Also, we plan to enhance border security, inaugurating the Border Police Passenger Information Unit at the airport in early February – a tool that will enhance our state’s border security.

There are numerous ongoing actions. All are directed towards providing quality services to citizens, preserving public security and order in our communities and maintaining social peace in our country.