PERSONS WITH POLICE POWERS MUST UNDERGO MEDICAL CHECK-UPS

ZAGREB, Jan 12 (Hina) - A spokesman for the Croatian Interior Ministry said on Friday all Interior Ministry employees with police powers will have to undergo medical examinations this year. Compulsory medical examinations of authorised police staff has been envisaged by the old Interior Ministry's rule book but also by the new law on police, spokesman Slavko Rako said. There are about 25,000 persons with police powers at the Interior Ministry, and 4,500 of them will lose those powers in a reorganisation process, which should be completed by June this year. Persons with police authorisation have the right to identify, bring in and interrogate citizens as well as carry firearms. According to today's issue of 'Jutarnji list' daily, the status of authorised police officer, which along with police powers includes an accelerated retirement plan and wage supplements, has over the past years also been granted to employees whose duties did not include police work. The daily also reported that legal regulations ordering medical check-ups also after one has been admitted into service have been neglected. Funds to be used for this year's medical check-ups will not be set aside from the budget, but from the Ministry's funds, said the spokesman. (hina) rml