“We will try different situations that might arise during the papal visit, including a crime or sudden approach by a citizen,” Ramūnas Matonis, head communication at the Police Department, told BNS Lithuania.
In his words, a list of situations has been drawn up and they will be tested in real places during the exercise which will involve around 20 percent of the police officers who will work during the papal visit in Lithuania on Sep. 22-23.
The police earlier asked the government for additional funding during the pope’s visit but were refused. Edvardas Šileris, deputy commissioner general, said in early August the force would need at least 600,000 euros in additional funding for the papal visit.
Despite that, he said, proper security would be insured during the visit, and fewer police officers might work on other days.