Badasyan on Objective and Subjective Concerns Regarding the Police Service in Yerevan

The acting Minister of Justice, Rustam Badasyan, addressed the launch of the Police Service in Yerevan on July 7, noting that alongside encouraging words, a number of objective and subjective concerns have also been raised.

“This morning, I announced the launch of the new Police Service in Yerevan. Our young officers, trained based on five months of targeted education and best international practices, will present themselves to our citizens as decent and professional public servants starting today. I confess, the expectation that our citizens would warmly welcome the new police officers has been justified. However, alongside the encouraging words, a number of objective and subjective concerns were also voiced,” Badasyan wrote on his Facebook page.

While discussing the wording “POLICE/PATROL” on the police vehicles, he noted that it is accompanied by the Armenian phrase “Պարեկային ծառայություն.” “Yes, the word Patrol is also mentioned next to it, which, let’s admit, is popular and understandable for all of us. Additionally, there are also tourists in the city, whose number is increasing year by year, much to our delight. Our foreign guests may need the assistance of police officers, and seeing the words Patrol or Police will prompt them to seek help more quickly,” stressed the acting Minister of Justice.

He also addressed the traffic congestion recorded in some areas of Yerevan on July 7, emphasizing, “It is obvious to all of us that the issue of traffic congestion in Yerevan did not arise today, nor will it be resolved today. I assure you, it has not been an easy day for our police officers who stepped out with heightened responsibility on the first day, and they have tried, to the best of their ability, to regulate issues not related to their functions as much as possible. But it is crucial that from the very first day, we will consistently gather all the issues to resolve, for which adaptation scenario trainings will also be held in conjunction with the service's launch to improve the quality of service provided to the public every day.”

Regarding the choice of the Police Service's emblem, Rustam Badasyan mentioned that there were various proposals submitted for the competition announced by the Police of Armenia for this purpose. “This version was selected. However, if the need arises to change the logo after studying public opinions, we will certainly reconsider it,” assured the acting Minister of Justice.