Expectations of the Inspectors of Tallinn Municipal Police Department to Increase Their Rights in Performing State Supervision

Abstract

The Ministry of the Interior has twice proposed to amend the laws that allow city and rural municipality (local government) law enforcement officials to apply additional measures and use direct coercion. The aim of the study was to specify what state supervision measures and means of direct coercion are necessary for law enforcement officials of the Tallinn Municipal Police Department (hereinafter referred to as MUPO). That is also the case in a health crisis, during which police assistance cannot always be relied upon. Officials from different MUPO services were surveyed, and the heads of their departments were interviewed. The analysis of the surveys showed that MUPO inspectors have the capabilities and motivation to contribute more effectively to the protection of public order in the most populous city in Estonia. What became evident was the expectation of amending the laws, both with the need to add specific measures to the Law Enforcement Act, the Liquid Fuel Act, the Public Transport Act, and the Traffic Act and, if necessary, by granting the right to use direct coercion to local government law enforcement officials. The right of self-defence of local government law enforcement officials needs to be regulated.