RIGA, March 5 (LETA) - All regions will have to establish municipal police units after the administrative territorial reform, as Environmental Protection and Regional Development Minister Arturs Toms Pless (For Development/For) told a press conference today.

The new Law on Local Governments provides for a transitional period until 2024, by which time all local governments will have to have municipal police forces.

Distribution of functions and financing between the State Police and Municipal Police forces is yet to be agreed upon with the Interior Ministry, said Pless.

There is a similar situation regarding local governments' drunk tanks - currently the cost of drunk tank services is covered by the state.

As reported, the government supported the Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry's new Law on Local Governments on Thursday.

According to the Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry, the new law envisages a clearer separation of legislative and executive powers, improving the division of competencies and functions, a clearer definition of local governments' work organization procedures and competences of officials.