The State Audit Service of Ukraine is launching a planned state financial audit of the National Police in November. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the State Audit Service. According to the agency, the control measures will cover a five-year period—from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2026—making this one of the most extensive audits in terms of timeframe regarding a law enforcement agency.
Two budget programs and 36 territorial bodies
During the audit, experts will analyze the implementation of two key budget programs by the National Police, which fund the activities of the agency's leadership, its units, and institutions. Beyond the central level, the audit will involve 36 territorial bodies and departments of the National Police, allowing for an evaluation of fund usage on the ground rather than just at the central headquarters.
Legality, specific purpose, and risks
The main focus of the control measures is the legality and efficiency of managing budget funds. Auditors will verify if the allocated funds were used for their intended purpose and will also evaluate the completeness and accuracy of the agency's financial reporting. Special attention will be paid to identifying potential risks in the financial and economic activities of the police, which, according to the State Audit Service, should help prevent non-targeted or inefficient expenditures.
Timeline: results due in the first quarter of 2027
The audit is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2027. After that, the results of the checks and inspections will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs for review. Thus, the auditors' findings will form the basis for decisions by two key state bodies responsible for monitoring and overseeing the police.
Context: the "Carthage" case and personnel decisions
The start of the audit coincides with a period of ongoing personnel and investigative processes within the National Police. As reported by the head of the agency, Ivan Vyhivskyi, two National Police officers involved in the "Carthage" case are facing criminal prosecution and are expected to be dismissed soon. Previously, it became known that the figure in the same case, Volodymyr Tsenov, was suspended from his position as First Deputy Head of the Department of Strategic Investigations pending an internal investigation into bribery allegations. Against this backdrop, the five-year financial review appears to be a systematic step in assessing the state of financial management within the agency.
