Law Enforcement Today
Sept 4, 2022
“Attacking law enforcement’s ability to fulfill its function of protecting people was carefully planned. The goal was to create fear within the Ukrainian people. A demoralized population is easier for the invader to control.” - Stephen Komorek
This isn’t widely known, but when the Russians invaded Ukraine, one of their first targets was law enforcement.
The invaders bombed police stations, destroyed police cars, and stole or destroyed communications equipment.
In addition, they did everything they could to degrade or destroy the ability of the police to communicate with each other or with their fellow citizens.
In addition to emptying the prisons, the invaders stole or destroyed police databases. The invaders’ goal was to get access to local criminals who could be pressured or bribed into cooperating with the new occupiers.
The invaders wanted–and got–information about local police officers, their families, former military members and any patriots who would form the basis of future resistance.
According to Stephen Komorek, CEO of API International Consulting Group, who recently visited Ukraine with me:
“Attacking law enforcement’s ability to fulfill its function of protecting people was carefully planned. The goal was to create fear within the Ukrainian people. A demoralized population is easier for the invader to control.”
Domestic Violence
Dealing with domestic violence as an example of how the invaders worked to undermine an essential police function. In the case of Ukraine, instances of domestic violence are skyrocketing.
According to the head of the Law Enforcement Training Center near the town of Demydiv, the stress of the war, including fear of sudden death, destruction of one’s home, painful inflation –all translate into skyrocketing rates of domestic violence.
As Komorek points out after visiting the bombed training center,
“At a time when the ability to deal with domestic violence is most needed, the invaders saw to it that the police are least able to provide it.”
How It Was in the Past
Part of a Ukrainian police officer’s training used to include studying tactics to keep domestic violence from escalating. The goal was to diffuse the situation and if possible, to enable the couple to continue with their domestic life...