Meet Kiev's new fuzz

Ukraine ushers in an entirely new police patrol force, revamped and reformed

This past weekend, on July 4, Kiev welcomed an entirely new police patrol force, which differs from the old police in both uniforms and, apparently, manners. The new patrol officers will serve on traffic duty and manage other police functions. A huge crowd of new recruits gathered in Sofia Square in Kiev to take the oath of office. Internet users seemed to take a special interest in the ceremony, cracking jokes about the American comedy Police Academy and police-themed pornography. Meduza presents a photo series on Kiev's newest finest.

July 4, 2015. Patrol officers take the oath of office at a ceremony in Kiev's Sofia Square.

According to reports, the Ukrainian authorities have trained 2,000 new police officers (though some reports suggest the number is closer to 2,500 men and women). Only 38 of these individuals are former police officers; everyone else is a new recruit. The average age of the incoming class of officers is 25 years old.

500 officers started their patrols on July 4. 400 were assigned to squad cars, and another 100 were put on foot patrol. On the first night of duty, officers recorded 15 traffic incidents and detained two men suspected of theft. Within a day, Kiev police received roughly 1,800 reports of criminal activity.

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko was on hand for the swearing-in ceremony, too.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko also attended. Here he is seen shaking hands with new recruits.

Many, often sexist, jokes have appeared on Internet social networks about Kiev's new police uniforms. For instance, some people have joked that the new attractive police officers will come arrest those who behave themselves, but anyone else will find themselves at the mercy of the old cops.

Another popular joke reads, "See a sexy cop. Sped by her at 100 MPH. Head back and confess... Profit!"

Other Internet users proposed opening a donut store in downtown Kiev and offering special discounts to cops (to pander to their beloved and much fictionalized love of round pastries).

Every officer has a unique badge identification number. Ukrainian officials hope the new system will reduce the incidence of police abusing their authority.

For now, Ukraine's reformed police force is only in Kiev. The changes are also coming to Kharkiv, Lviv, Odessa, and Lutsk.