From August 2024, Russian police officers will receive bonuses for each detainee who signs a contract with the army, writes the website "Verstka". According to the publication, with two detainees per month, an investigator earns more than his salary.
At least since August of last year, police officers in Russia - district, operational and investigative - receive bonuses for each detainee who signs a contract with the Ministry of Defense. Before reaching the court and investigation, almost 12 percent of suspects go to war, writes the website "Verstka", which refers to police data for June 2025.
"We are obliged before the first interrogation of the suspect, while informing him of his rights, to tell him that he can conclude a contract," a policewoman from Krasnodar told the publication.
If the detainee agrees to go to war, the restraining order is canceled, and the court proceedings and criminal prosecution are terminated. Lawyers say that the criminal record will remain clean if the person who agreed returns from the war with a reward, is wounded, or does not return at all.
"With two detainees a month, the investigator earns more than his salary"
The bonuses that police officers receive are between 10 and 100,000 rubles per detainee (between 100 and 1,000 euros). In order to receive the money, a certificate from the military must be presented that the suspect has signed a contract. A court decision that the case was closed due to the accused going to war can also serve as evidence.
"If the investigator manages to send two suspects to war per month, he will receive more than his salary", a recently dismissed police officer stated.
The new opportunity to avoid criminal prosecution exists after amendments were made to the Criminal Code, "Verstka" reports. In June alone, 3,333 detainees were offered to go to war throughout the country. It is known that 2,200 people refused to sign a contract, 392 agreed, and in 741 cases the outcome is unknown.