The collegiate hall of the Main Department of Internal Affairs in the Nizhny Novgorod Region hosted on February 12th a festive meeting dedicated to the anniversary of the licensing service within the law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation. Police Lieutenant General Mr. Viktor Veniaminovich Bratanov, Head of the Main Department of Internal Affairs in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, opened the meeting and congratulated the staff with the fortieth anniversary of their service.  According to him, licensing activities of law enforcement agencies are not just execution and issue of permits for acquisition and possession of non-military weapons. The scope of their activities is much broader. “I would like to wish you all that any weapons under your supervision are used only at training targets or on hunting grounds”, said Mr. Bratanov.

Mr. Alexander Vaynberg, Vice-Speaker, greeted the staff of the licensing service on behalf of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. He awarded the staff with letters of gratitude. “Forty years is a long time. Thank you for your distinguished work”, he expressed his gratitude to the militiamen.

The representatives from the region and city administration also congratulated the staff and expressed their gratitude for their work.

Mr. Pavel Vladlenovich Kovalev, a Presidium member, Coordinator in the Volga Federal District of the Coordination Committee within the Department of Public Order Protection of the Ministry of the Interior of Russia, General Director of Berkut Association of Legal and Guard Companies, addressed the staff of the licensing service on behalf of the Coordination Committee Presidium.

He cordially congratulated the staff with their anniversary – 40 years since establishment of the licensing service and expressed his hope for further successful cooperation between private detective and guard companies and the licensing service:

“Your work makes a significant contribution to the protection of public order in our country. You have done a lot to use the potential of private detective and guard agencies for public protection and prevention of offences.

In difficult economic times the staff of the licensing service and private detective companies faces new challenges which require significant improvement of cooperation for public order protection.

We believe that mutual work with law-abiding private detective and guard companies which are usually managed by former employees of the law enforcement agencies will let us successfully cope with the new challenges facing us”.

At the end of the meeting Mr. Bratanov awarded the head of the licensing service with an honorary weapon – a cutlass. Many employees of the licensing service were awarded with badges For Fidelity to Duty, certificates of honor from the Main Department of Internal Affairs and valuable gifts.

On the 40th anniversary of the licensing service Mr. Pavel Vladlenovich Kovalev, General Director of Berkut Association, was awarded with a badge for Contribution to Development of the Licensing Service of the Ministry of the Interior of Russia.

REFERENCE INFORMATION: In compliance with the Decree by the Ministry of the Interior of the USSR dated February 12th, 1969, the 4th department was established within the Militia Administration Service of the USSR. The department was to carry out licensing activities. In the Main Department of Internal Affairs in the Nizhny Novgorod Region the department for licensing activities and supervision of private detective and guard activities is included in the militia forces for public protection. All 58 law enforcement agencies in Nizhny Novgorod have departments or groups carrying out such administrative activities.