More than 300 retirement-age officials hold leadership posts in law enforcement systems

Although the age limit for service in law enforcement agencies is set at 55 for colonels and 60 for generals, more than 300 officials above this age are currently holding leadership positions. This was announced at a videoconference meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on January 27 at the Security Directorate under the Tashkent City Main Department of Internal Affairs.

It was noted that 153 senior officials in the internal affairs bodies, 135 in the прокуратура, 23 in the customs service, and 8 in the National Guard have already reached retirement age but are not intending to vacate their positions. According to the meeting, this situation highlights the need to inject new blood into the system, which is directly linked to the age issue.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also addressed this matter during the videoconference meeting on measures to create a safe environment and ensure effective public security in Tashkent.

“In general, today’s time itself demands modern knowledge, approaches, and initiative from leaders. We urgently need a corps of young leaders with high professional competence. For example, Qudratkhojayev (former Minister of Emergency Situations – ed.) did not keep military personnel over the age of 50 in leadership positions in his system. Qurbonov, Toshpulatov, Yuldoshov, Valiev, Juraev, Mavlonov – within one month, they should appoint young personnel to leadership roles, while using the experience of those of retirement age as mentors and instructors, creating a system where they guide young people at the community level,” the President said.

It is worth noting that earlier it was reported that misuse of 186 billion soums in budget funds had been identified in state procurement within the Ministry of Internal Affairs system, leading to criminal cases being opened against Deputy Minister Bekmurod Abdullayev and Department Head Rustam Tursunov.