NCJ Number
205323
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 52 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2004 Pages: 88-93
Date Published
March 2004
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the structure and function of the Bulgarian police organizations following the transition from communist to democratic rule.
Abstract
During the 50 years of communist rule in Bulgaria, citizens could not move about the country freely and had to register with local police when visiting another area. Today, keeping Bulgaria crime-free is more of a challenge because people are free to move about the country at will with little more than a driver’s license and an identity card. The current method of policing in Bulgaria is based on the reports of the previous year. An analysis is made concerning whether each level of police command met their goals. Those at the lower end of the police hierarchy complete many more planning reports than those at the upper end. The police hiring and training system is discussed and compared to communist times in which 14-year old boys would enter police high schools for 4 years to be trained as police officers. Today, recruits are out of high school and must pass psychological and physical tests to be selected to enter the 6-month police school. An analysis of the current crime patterns in Bulgaria is offered. Sophia is known to house a number of criminal organizations and the location of Bulgaria between Europe and Asia makes it a compelling gateway for narcotics trafficking. Bulgarian criminal justice is severe and, as such, violent crime is rare and the majority of property and street crime involves pickpocketing and vehicle theft. Finally, the structure of the post-communist police organization is detailed. Despite 55 years under repressive Ottoman Turkish rule and another 50 years under communist rule, Bulgaria is making impressive headway to becoming a viable part of the greater European community.