(Web Desk) - In Russia, where law enforcement corruption has long been an open secret, bribing a police officer to escape trouble is often as simple as slipping them a stack of rubles.
Despite this pervasive issue, Russian authorities are eager to restore public trust and enforce the rule of law, even if the laws themselves sometimes draw criticism for being overly stringent or politically motivated.
In a striking effort to combat corruption, officials in a southern Russian region—identified as the Krasnodar Krai by local reports—have launched an innovative pilot program aimed at incentivizing integrity among police officers.
The plan? Reward officers who refuse bribes with a cash payment matching the amount they were offered to turn a blind eye. The initiative, announced in early July 2025, has stirred both intrigue and skepticism.
Regional authorities argue that the program could deter corruption by appealing to officers’ financial motivations while reinforcing ethical behavior.
For example, if a driver offers an officer 10,000 rubles (roughly $100 USD) to avoid a traffic fine, the officer who reports the bribe attempt would receive an equivalent 10,000 rubles as a reward.
Krasnodar officials claim this approach could transform the culture of law enforcement in a region where low salaries—often around 40,000-60,000 rubles monthly for junior officers—make bribery a tempting supplement to income.