Penza, 10 November 2014. PenzaNews. A festive gathering dedicated to the Day of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation was held in Lunacharsky Penza Regional Drama Theater on Monday, November 10. The flag of the regional department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was brought out to start the event, and then the anthem of the Russian Federation sounded.

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Welcoming colleagues and veterans, Yuri Ruzlyaev, head of the Penza region Ministry of Internal Affairs, noted that professional holiday is a rare case when the police officers gather on the joyous occasion in a festive atmosphere.

“This is a celebration for those who give all their strength, energy, health, and often life to serve for the good of the Fatherland, the festive day for those who daily carry the heavy and very honorable mission — protect life and peace of the citizens, provide law obedience and order on the territory of our homeland. I am sure that November 10 is a symbol of the very best qualities of the police — professionalism, honesty, integrity, willingness to help people,” he stressed.

Yuri Ruzlyaev drew attention to the fact that thanks to the work of police, crime rate in the Penza region remains one of the lowest in the Volga Federal District and in Russia in general.

He added that priority target areas are still drug addiction and alcoholism fight.

“This year from illegal turnover, Penza police officers seized about 15 kg of drugs and hard drugs, 23 tons of alcohol, 43,176 liters of liquor. These dry numbers are based on everyday painstaking work,” the police colonel said.

In turn, Vasily Bochkarev, governor of the Penza region, congratulated the police officers on their professional holiday and stressed the importance of prevention work.

“Without prevention work, we shall not suppress criminal activity, so let's have more meetings with representatives of civil society and business,” the head region suggested.

He expressed confidence that a person with a decent job and good salary will never commit a crime.

Other officials also congratulated the police staff with the holiday.

The top police officers received well-deserved rewards.