Dismissal of None of the 20 Officers is Related to Anti-Epidemic Efforts, Police Clarification

The publication regarding police activities in the September 22 issue of the "Zhamanak" newspaper does not correspond to reality at all. The police do not operate with situational solutions, and specifically, anti-epidemic measures are carried out not by orders and directives but exclusively within the framework of legally mandated powers.

The unfounded nature of the publication is also evidenced by statistics. Since June 8, 2020, a total of 20 officers, both ordinary and high-ranking, have been dismissed from the police units engaged in anti-epidemic measures, of which 9 were dismissed by court ruling, and others for various disciplinary violations.

None of the 20 dismissals are related to anti-epidemic efforts. During this period, no officer from the Yerevan city police's special patrol service or police troops was dismissed on negative grounds.

Moreover, during the same period, the police force has not only stayed intact but has also increased by 101 officers, 70% of whom are involved in external services, with the junior staff supplemented by 237 officers, 90% of whom are engaged in external service.

It should also be noted that detailed information regarding the dismissals from the police force on negative grounds is regularly provided to the public through the disciplinary commission of the Police of the Republic of Armenia, which includes representatives from various civil society organizations.