History
Andrus Ansip's Government Cabinet which was established after the 2005 parliamentary elections, stated in its 2007–2011 coalition programme the need for a unified homeland security agency in order to reduce operating costs and upkeep between the ministry and its organizations.Ministry of Interior: The overview of the establishment of the Police and Border Guard BoardStructure
The agency is headed by a director general, who has four deputies. The deputies lead various departments. In addition, prefectures are led by prefects. The Police and Border Guard consists of the Development Department, Border Guard Department, Central Criminal Police, Northern Prefecture, Eastern Prefecture, Southern Prefecture, Western Prefecture, Administration, Internal Affairs Office, and Internal Audit Office. The Border Guard Department also manages the Police and Border Guard Aviation Group and the naval fleet.Personnel
The organization has more than 7,000 servicemen, of which 6,000 are in active duty, and another 1,000 in the administrative area.Ranks
The head of the Police Board is the Director General of Police ( ''peadirektor''). The head of the regional district is the Police Commissioner ( ''prefekt''). With the unification of the Police and Border Guard Boards several new service ranks were created which now also includes the ranks of general and an inspector general.Equipment
* High and non-visibility stab vests used to prevent stab wounds and gunshots, * Telescopic Baton, * Taser, * Handcuffs, * Communications System (Radio). * Pistol Glock 19 * Pistol Walther P99 * Rifle LMT R-20Aircraft
The Police and Border Guard Aviation Group operates fixed and rotary-wing aircraft for the Police and Border Guard Board. In total, they operate three helicopters and two airplanes. One of the airplanes is equipped for maritime patrol and pollution detection duties.Naval fleet
The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board naval fleet consists of four large vessels: Kindral Kurvits, Raju, Pikker, and Valve. In total, the Police and Border Guard Board operates with close to a hundred vessels. By 2022, the fleet will be based in Mine Harbour and Hundipea Harbour.Insignia
Police coat of arms
The coat of arms of the police is in the shape of a shield. On a blue background is a silver lion standing on its rear legs, holding a small coat of arms withs paws, which represents readiness to protect public order and the interests of the state. The lion was chosen as a symbol because it represents nobility and courage and because it is also represented on the national coat of arms. The silver color symbolizes nobility and masculinity, while the blue color symbolizes peace and stability. The coat of arms was designed based on historical traditions and the design of the Estonian police badge from 1930s.Border Guard insignia
The insignia of the Estonian Border Guard was designed by Günther Reindorff for the 10th anniversary of the Border Guard in 1932. It depicts a silver eagle holding a sword in front of a border post. The eagle is called the North Eagle, which originates from the national epic Kalevipoeg, and it symbolizes vigilance, courage and readiness to fight. The border post is stylized in diagonally placed national colors and it holds the national coat of arms at the top. The eagle and border post are surrounded by a wreath of silver oak leaves, which symbolizes unity and manliness. There is a silver ribbon with the date of establishment of the Estonian Border Guard on the lower part of insignia.Flag
The main color of the Police and Border Guard flag is blue, which is also one of the colors of the national flag. On the agency board the blue symbolises peace and stability. The main figure on the flag is a white standing lion holding a national small coat of arms with its paws. The lions tongue and claws are red. The flag design is based on the Estonian police coat of arms. The length and width ratio of the festive parade flag is 7:9 and the size of the flag is 105x135 cm.See also
* Estonian Police * Estonian Border Guard * Estonian Rescue Board *References
External links
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