Ukraine's Police Force Includes 70,000 of Mobilization Age

What Happened

According to Alexander Fatevich, the Acting Head of the Patrol Police Department, the National Police of Ukraine currently employs around 70,000 officers who are of mobilization age. This statement was made during an interview with Babel, as reported by Ukrinform.

The total number of personnel in the police force stands at about 103,000, while the authorized number should exceed 140,000. Fatevich detailed that among the 103,000 police officers, approximately 70,000 are men aged 25 to 60 years, with women making up about 24% of the workforce.

He specified further that the patrol police, which are set to consist of 20,000 officers, currently have only 15,000 to 16,000 actively serving due to staffing shortages.

Key Details

Fatevich noted that over 2,000 patrol officers are currently serving in frontline positions to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He explained that some units of the police perform tasks that overlap with other defense forces along the border, and their role does not include searching for evaders of military service.

Instead, they provide combat readiness and perform duties that assist the Armed Forces. Among the officers deployed, 3,000 are specifically assigned to areas beyond major urban centers, with 1,000 of them being from the patrol police.

These officers have been reassigned to assist in regions heavily impacted by conflict, including the Donetsk and Kherson areas. Fatevich emphasized that while they do not carry firearms in their roles, they focus on evacuating civilians amidst ongoing hostilities.

As for internal police matters, it was mentioned that patrol officer Mikhail Drobnytsky was implicated regarding negligence following a recent terrorist incident in Kyiv. After a shooting event in the Holosiivskyi district that resulted in seven fatalities, the command structure of the patrol police faced scrutiny, leading to resignations and a shakeup within its ranks.

Fatevich also commented on the operational rotations, stating that officers are expected to serve on the front lines for six months to a year, and if they are unwilling to participate, they might be dismissed. This policy aims to ensure that personnel are adequately prepared and available for deployment.

Why It Matters

The significant presence of mobilization-aged officers in the Ukrainian police force reflects the ongoing demands of the military situation in the country. With many officers deployed to frontline duties, law enforcement faces unique challenges in maintaining internal security while supporting national defense efforts.

The staffing issues within the police force, alongside operational pressures, highlight the continuing strain on Ukraine’s public safety and defense sectors, especially in light of recent violent incidents.

Background

Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are currently adapting their operations to align with the ongoing conflict, which has escalated security needs. The incident on April 18 in the Holosiivskyi district involved a man who opened fire on civilians and took hostages, leading to a violent confrontation with police.

Following these events, there has been a renewed focus on ensuring police accountability and operational readiness as the country navigates its complex security environment. Investigations into police conduct during the incident have resulted in several high-level resignations, further complicating the already strained public safety framework.

Due to these dynamics, the structure and effectiveness of the National Police are under ongoing scrutiny.