Ukraine launches Western-style police force to set a marker for reform

Police officers stand amidst cars before an oath-taking ceremony, which started up the work of a new police patrol service, part of the Interior Ministry reform initiated by Ukrainian authorities, in Kiev, Ukraine, July 4, 2015. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

KIEV (Reuters) - The first 2,000 recruits of a new Ukrainian police force passed out in the capital Kiev at the weekend, intended by the government as a visible sign of its commitment to shake off a deep-rooted culture of corruption in public institutions.

Trained by U.S. and Canadian forces, and given less militaristic uniforms and the name 'Politsiya' to mark a break with the old, Soviet-style 'Militsiya', the young officers pledged to forsake the bribes associated with their job.