TIRANA, Nov. 4 /ATA/ – Albania’s draft 2027 budget allocates around 40 billion leks to the Interior Ministry, a 12% increase from 2026, including funds for higher salaries for State Police officers, Interior Minister Ervin Demo said on Wednesday.
Presenting the draft budget to parliament’s Committee on Internal Affairs and Defence, Demo said the allocation was the highest level of funding for the ministry to date and would support public security, professional standards and better services for citizens.
The budget focuses on three priorities: investment in police personnel and other security staff, modernisation of the State Police through technology, equipment and infrastructure, and strengthening local government capacity to improve public services.
A total of 3.3 billion leks has been earmarked for police pay increases. The 8,174 officers holding the rank of inspector, representing 73% of ranked police personnel, will receive an additional 20,000 leks per month in rank-based pay. Including seniority-related increases, their average monthly pay rise will reach 23,600 leks, or 27%.
Officers in other ranks will receive an additional 15,000 leks per month in rank-based pay, with average increases ranging from 8% to 17%, including seniority.
Demo described the increases as a direct investment in personnel who face risks, crime and emergencies in carrying out their public duties.
He said a more professional, motivated and accountable police force required not only modern equipment and technology but also better recognition and treatment of its officers.
However, increased financial support must go hand in hand with higher professional standards, discipline, integrity and respect for the law, he said.
Support for police personnel and accountability for their actions must go together, Demo added, saying citizens were entitled both to security and to professional service that respected their rights.
The 2027 draft budget aims to translate higher funding into greater public security, stronger institutional capacity and improved public services.
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