Ministry of Internal Affairs tightens control over preventive inspectors following public outrage

On March 14, a press conference was held at the Agency of Information and Mass Communications (AIMC) with the leadership of the MIA’s Crime Prevention Service to discuss security measures in neighborhoods and the prevention of offenses. Journalists raised concerns about a growing trend where preventive inspectors were being caught engaging in misconduct with women whose husbands were working abroad. They also inquired about the measures being taken to prevent such incidents.

“You mentioned corrupt officers. I believe such individuals exist in every system. In 2024, during several meetings chaired by the president, serious concerns were raised about the shortcomings of preventive inspectors, their declining loyalty to the nation, and their involvement in unlawful and dishonest activities. Following this, in October 2024, we launched extraordinary attestations across the country on the minister’s orders.

“During the attestation, we identified officers who tarnished the system’s reputation, demonstrated low professional knowledge, and engaged in inappropriate behavior with citizens. Their qualifications were assessed, and as a result, nearly 300 preventive inspectors were dismissed from the internal affairs system, while around 100 others were relieved of their duties.

“The negative incidents seen on social media occurred in 2024. We are now three months into 2025, and no such cases have been reported so far. This is due to the strict oversight imposed by our personnel department and inspection service. We have implemented strict monitoring of preventive inspectors, tracking when they visit neighborhoods and where they are working at all times. Extraordinary attestations will continue until we have officers who meet the standards set by our president, government, and minister of internal affairs,” said Colonel Rahimjon Naimov, Deputy Head of the MIA’s Crime Prevention Service.

Colonel Umida Abdullaeva, another deputy head of the Crime Prevention Service, emphasized the importance of continuous professional development and discipline in the service.

“Responsible personnel from the Department of Moral and Educational Affairs and Human Resources ensure that every officer in the preventive service undergoes training at the MIA’s Advanced Training Institute throughout the year. Measures have been implemented to enhance professional knowledge, strengthen discipline, and instill a spirit of loyalty to the nation.

“If, despite receiving such training and experience, an officer's misconduct persists or their sense of responsibility remains weak, they will undergo extraordinary attestation,” she added.

It should be recalled that in January of this year, a preventive inspector in Shovot district, Khorezm region, was caught inside the home of a woman whose husband was working in Russia. He was apprehended at night by the woman's in-laws. The MIA later stated that it was reviewing the possibility of dismissing the officer from the internal affairs system due to his actions.