Sutaj Estok: Police Staffing Sees Improvement in 2025

Bratislava, 27 December (TASR) - The staffing situation in the Police Corps improved in 2025, with more than 1,200 new police officers joining the force, while only about 400 left — hence, the staffing increased by around 800 officers in total, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) has told TASR in a year-end interview. The minister considers such an increase a success. According to him, the number of police officers did stagnate in the last ten years. "Other countries within the European Union have the same problems. I also discussed in Brussels with many of my colleagues that the problem of understaffing exists, whether in Hungary, the Czech Republic, or many western countries," the minister said. As the interior minister added, around 840 police officers joined the force in 2024. However, more than 2,000 left due to increased service pensions. He added that 7,300 people expressed interest in working in the police in 2025. He attributes the increased interest mainly to a recruitment campaign launched by the ministry in March. "We definitely want to continue the campaign, possibly with some more modern elements," Sutaj Estok claimed. He added that the police are currently focusing mainly on occasional outreach to attract new employees. "Whether it is various sporting events taking place across the country, from marathons to different sports activities, the police will now always have their own stand there." According to the minister, the Interior Ministry has also reached an agreement with the Finance Ministry on the continuation of the €5,000 recruitment bonus in the coming years. mf