The Romanian authorities, faced with growing pressures from illegal migration and cross-border crime, recently launched operation ‘BLITZ’ on January 3, 2025. This initiative involved multiple agencies including the Romanian Border Police, Romanian Police, General Inspectorate for Immigration, and the Romanian Gendarmerie, targeting persons and vehicles along internal Schengen borders to destabilize criminal networks.
During the operation, over 3,600 individuals were checked across more than 1,800 vehicles, including 16 buses, 239 trucks, and 161 vans. The checks led to the discovery of various irregularities, resulting in 98 contraventional sanctions totaling over 65,000 lei, and the immobilization of one vehicle for transporting individuals without the necessary documentation. Remarkably, officials apprehended one Romanian citizen who was subject to a warrant for execution of imprisonment.
Throughout 2024, authorities placed 19,118 individuals under surveillance measures, reflecting heightened efforts to curb illegal activities. By the year’s end, the number of individuals under preventive measures swelled to 30,866, with 5,805 under house arrest and the remainder subject to judicial control, indicating the scale of criminal investigations underway.
Vitalie Josanu, the head of the third-largest police union, ‘Diamantul’, expressed serious concerns over internal pressures within the police force, emphasizing instances of harassment and the potential stifling of dissent. “Ministerul Afacerilor Interne nu înghite sindicatele,” Josanu stated, articulately reflecting on the scrutiny leaders face for voicing political opinions within their ranks. He explained how public posts and information have been misclassified as sensitive, generating fears over transparency and accountability within the police.
Josanu also detailed the intensifying personnel crisis, noting alarming statistics from the Neamț County area where troop levels have depleted by 50% due to mass retirements, particularly at year’s end. He pointed out, “The system has not been updated since the ’90s,” portraying the financial and operational strain on police forces, struggling to address new crimes like cybercrime and substance trafficking with reduced manpower.
The urgency of reform is underscored by growing concerns among union members over management practices. “There is the risk of officers following orders without thinking,” Josanu warned, drawing parallels to well-known psychological experiments demonstrating obedience to authority. Josanu’s advocacy for transparency is part of broader reforms, as he bespeaks the need to dismantle outdated practices hindering police operations and public trust.
Through interviews, statistical analysis, and firsthand accounts from officers, this investigation reveals how intertwined the issues of migration control and police welfare are within Romania. The dual crises of illegal migration and personnel shortages intertwine, creating complex challenges for enforcement agencies.
Despite reform aspirations, the police face internal sabotage and external pressures, which must be navigated delicately. With many police officers preferring to seek retirement, active members deal not only with civic duties but also the threat of retribution for speaking out. The social and professional unrest mirrors broader judicial concerns seen nationally.
Looking toward the future, the success of operations like ‘BLITZ’ hinges on more than just enforcement—genuine support systems within police ranks and open dialogues about lawful operations must coexist to prevent systemic collapse.
Through the lens of events like operation ‘BLITZ,’ Romania must confront its struggles with illegal migration, crime prevention, and the pressing need for police reform to cultivate not only order but also trust between the community and its protectors.