Medvedev to discuss law enforcement reform with police in Tver

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will discuss the reformation of the country's Interior Ministry with police officers in the city of Tver later on Saturday. Medvedev announced his plans during a video linkup with coordinators of the United Russia party's regional election campaign on Friday. Medvedev launched a large-scale reform of the Russian Interior Ministry in December 2009 in response to growing criticism of the country's police force fueled by a number of high-profile police scandals that took place in the past few years. Medvedev ordered that the number of police personnel be reduced by 20% over the next two years, proposing the cuts be balanced by higher salaries for remaining staff. He also urged new anti-corruption measures and tighter selection procedures for police personnel and moved to introduce tougher punishment for police found guilty of crimes. In July, Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev said the reform has entered its final stage.