TALLINN, Estonia (Chatnewstv.com) — Vaiko Vaher has been appointed as the next Police Chief of the Southern Prefecture of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board and will assume office at the beginning of 2026, officials said Monday.
Interior Minister Igor Taro praised the appointment, calling Vaher “a young but already experienced police chief” who has earned the trust of both his colleagues and the public.
“I am sure that his dedication, fresh ideas and strong value-based behavior will take the Southern Prefecture even further,” Taro said.
“I wish Vaiko strength on this journey and a straight back in serving the Estonian people.”
Police and Border Guard Director General Egert Beličev said his expectations for the incoming prefect focus on preparedness and public safety.
“One of them is that the Southern Prefecture is ready for crises and the other is that our people are protected,” Beličev said.
“When we think about the security situation and our eastern neighbor, the Southern Prefecture is a key unit in terms of crisis preparedness.”
Beličev credited Vaher with fostering innovation during his time in the Northern Prefecture.
“In the Northern Prefecture’s operational bureau, Vaiko Vaher has created an atmosphere of positive creativity, where people themselves come up with new ideas and thoughts on how something can be solved more quickly and sensibly,” he said.
“Vaiko also understands well the value of the close-knit community of South Estonia and sees opportunities to empower it through police work.”
Vaher said he was honored by the trust placed in him and highlighted both the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“When I start working at the Southern Prefecture, I will face new challenges and hundreds of dedicated people who work every day to ensure the security of Estonia in six counties and on both the water and land borders,” Vaher said.
He added that maintaining readiness in light of regional tensions will be a priority.
“We must be extremely attentive to our eastern neighbor and we must increase our readiness to act in a crisis situation,” Vaher said.
“Only in this way can we keep a clear head, respond promptly and focus on solving the crisis.”
The current prefect, Vallo Koppel, will step down early next year. The term of office for the role is five years.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
