March 29, 2010 year. Mari El Republic. Regional public organization “Human being and Law” and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Mari El Republic begin holding the public opinion poll about police work and its departments.

Three human rights NGOs are initiators of this public opinion poll: Human Rights Commission of Komi “Memorial” (Syktyvkar), “Center for Civic Education and Human Rights” (Perm) and “Human being and Law” (Yoshkar-Ola).

A public opinion poll is conducted within the framework of a large-scale inter-regional project “Militia of Russia – from force to service”, which covers three regions of Russia: the Republic of Mari El, Perm Region and Komi Republic. The project is supported by the European Commission.

The campaign aims to include public opinion in the assessment of militia and its structural departments: officers of duty departments, militia officers, minor’s cases department, patrol force, traffic militia, investigators, operating officers. The public opinion poll will be held among 3000 citizens of the Republic of Mari El, Komi and Perm regions. People will have the opportunity to express their opinion in the work of the police, their fears and wishes.

According to results of the survey there will be conducted a large company with activities aimed at improving public confidence towards the police. A particular attention will be given to the needs of population.

According to experts of the “Public Verdict Foundation” (Moscow), who have experience in conducting various surveys, supported by the Levada Center, a growing number of experts think that the most important disadvantage is the fact that interests and views of citizens are not taken into consideration. People suffer from the disadvantages of the existing system. In this regard, the recommendations of the Council of Europe are exemplary. They point to the fact that it is necessary to solve social problems and invite people to this process. And the reform in police or any other public service is a good chance for it.