Call the police!

One of the first word visitors to Russia learn is “militsia.” That’s the term for the widely mistrusted and disliked police force that patrols the country’s streets and metros, shaking down foreigners and seeking bribes wherever they can get them. As of tomorrow, they will now be known as “politisia.” There’s a bunch of other police reforms that also come into force today, but since few commenters expect them to lead to anything, I’ll leave it at that. So remember: no militisia, just politsia.