Vyhivsky becomes new Kyiv police chief

Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky has introduced Police Colonel Ivan Vyhivsky as the new head of the main directorate of the National Police in Kyiv, the Interior Ministry's press service has reported.

Prior to that, Vyhivsky headed Poltava regional police, the report said.

In particular, Monastyrsky said he expected the new Kyiv police chief to pay more attention to ensuring public safety, especially ahead of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

"This is the first challenge that awaits you and all of us. And now you personally, Ivan Mykhailovych, will be responsible for the organization of this holiday," Monastyrsky said.

In addition, he said that the issue of combating the crimes that citizens complain about the most should be a priority for the new leadership.

"It's a matter of robbery, theft of vehicles. We in the parliament, together with the leadership of the National Police of Ukraine, managed to adopt a number of legislative acts to combat vehicle theft. Now we would like these laws to be clearly implemented in practice," Monastyrsky said.

The minister also thanked former Kyiv police chief Andriy Kryshchenko for more than five years of work and expressed hope that the best traditions and principles of the Kyiv police would be passed to the new leadership.

For his part, Vyhivsky expressed gratitude for the opportunity to head such a large police unit.

"Kyiv is, in fact, the heart of our state. All regions must be at the same level with the capital. There will be a lot of work. The fight against organized crime and security on the streets of the capital remain a priority. Together with the staff, we will coordinate our actions to continue to create a safe environment for Kyiv residents and guests of the city," he said.

Vyhivsky said that the tasks set by the state leadership would be fulfilled as much as possible.

Kryshchenko thanked the leadership of the Interior Ministry, the National Police and his colleagues for their work done over the past five years.

Kryshchenko said on August 11 that he had submitted a resignation letter and that it was accepted on August 10. He had been in office since December 15, 2015.