The Internal Security Academy graduated 515 students this year. This is 68 more than last year. The school trains future police officers, rescuers, and other specialists. Rector Kuno Tammearu says that the school produces as many employees as the state requests.
The school is more popular than before. In the field of police, there were 3.5 applicants per place. In the rescue higher education program, there were 6 applicants per place. In the taxation field, there were almost 10 applicants per place.
The Police and Border Guard Board employs nearly 5000 people. In recent years, the number of graduates has doubled, but it is still not enough. According to the Board, the salary is too low. Approximately 200 employees are missing.
The Police and Border Guard Board wants a starting police officer to earn at least 1.2 times the Estonian average salary. The Rescue Board employs 2100 people. There is a shortage of 100 rescuers.
The Director General of the Rescue Board, Margo Klaos, says that a starting rescuer currently earns 75% of the Estonian average salary. He hopes that rescuers will earn 1.2 times more in the near future.
The salary of rescuers increased in 2024 from 1460 euros to 1600 euros. The minimum salary for police officers increased from 1850 euros to 2035 euros.
Interior Minister Igor Taro says that the Ministry of the Interior received a 10% salary increase. This is not enough, but it is a step in the right direction. Taro wishes for smaller salary increases but on a yearly basis.