New force could be fully established in five to eight months

Nearly LVL 200,000 (exactly LVL 196,500) is necessary to set up the projected “Tourist Police” in Riga which would be responsible for the elimination of tourism-related crimes and ensuring a safe environment for foreign visitors, thereby promoting the development of the tourism industry. It is planned that the force, which could be set up in five to eight months, will consist of a chairman, four chief inspectors and 10 inspectors. The Tourist Police was initially an idea proposed by Ainars Slesers, a former candidate for Riga mayor.