Patrol Police Must Elevate the Quality of Work to a New Level, Says Prime Minister

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, accompanied by the Chief of Police Vahe Ghazaryan, visited the Kumayri Police Department in Gyumri, where he attended the ceremony dedicated to the launch of the Patrol Service in the Shirak region. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan, Defense Minister Suren Papikyan, Director of the National Security Service Armen Abazyan, Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan, Chairman of the Defense and Security Committee of the National Assembly Andranik Kocharyan, Human Rights Defender Kristine Grigoryan, Head of the State Revenue Committee Rustam Badasyan, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Victorin, US Ambassador Lyn Tracy, and others.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Pashinyan congratulated police officers on the professional holiday, stating: “Dear servicemen, Director of the Police, esteemed members of the government, representatives of the executive branch, deputies of the National Assembly, esteemed foreign diplomats accredited in Armenia, and dear colleagues, I congratulate all of us on the occasion of Police Day in the Republic of Armenia. I want to express my satisfaction that we are celebrating Police Day this year with such an innovation, as the Patrol Police begins its operations in the Shirak and Lori regions. This brings a new and fresh spirit to the Police of the Republic of Armenia, which should elevate the quality of our work to a new level.”

He continued: “But I also want to emphasize that when we constantly stress the involvement of new, fresh forces in the police system, it does not at all mean that we are underestimating the service that the police of the Republic of Armenia has carried out until now. I believe the Patrol Police is a crucial example of this consolidation, where experienced members of the Police work together with new faces who have never served in the Police before.”

Pashinyan noted that this process establishes new relationships conducive to the democratic level that the Republic of Armenia is currently recording. “I want to emphasize that our goal and vision is that the citizens of the Republic of Armenia should respect the police officer, as respecting the police means respecting the law. The police officer should respect the citizen, as respecting the citizen means respecting rights. But this combination of law and rights is the rule of law, the supremacy of the law, equality before the law, and the formation of a legal state. And I want us not to underestimate this reform that is taking place,” he added.

The Prime Minister thanked the patrol service members who began their duties in the capital in July 2021 and have unquestioningly earned the respect of the citizens during this time. He also expressed gratitude to the veteran officers of the Police who have been passing on their experience, knowledge, and dedication to the patrol service. He thanked all partners involved in these critical, cornerstone reforms, emphasizing the leadership of the Police of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry of Justice, Deputy Prime Ministers, the Prime Minister’s Office, and international partners, highlighting the support provided by the EU and the US.

“I want to extend special thanks to representatives of civil society who contribute to and make every effort to ensure that we continuously enhance these reforms. Because let’s face it, not everything has gone smoothly since the first phase, but especially in those challenging circumstances, it is very important that we record our will to move forward, our capability to advance, and our determination to carry out reforms,” he stated.

Pashinyan emphasized that today they mark Police Day in the Republic of Armenia with the launch of the Patrol Police in the Shirak and Lori regions, describing the day as festive and vibrant. He took a moment to honor all the police officers who were martyred during the 44-day war and in the first Artsakh war, standing firmly in defense of the homeland and rule of law.

“I would also like to remind you that, in fact, the first units of the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia were police units, which eventually laid the foundation for the Armenian army. Therefore, I suggest we observe a minute of silence in memory of all our fallen heroes, particularly highlighting today’s police officers,” he concluded.

Following the moment of silence, the Prime Minister addressed the patrol officers: “Today, you will officially carry out your service for the first time, and I want you to ensure that citizens of the Republic of Armenia feel confident, safe, secure, respected, and valued, while citizens with legal issues should know that their violations will not go unanswered. And this is not a whim, but a necessary action to protect and maintain the rights and freedoms of the public.”

Pashinyan congratulated everyone on Police Day and wished the Patrol Police of Shirak region success. He also presented state awards to a group of police officers in recognition of their bravery, dedication, and contributions to legality and maintaining public order.

Among those awarded were Deputy Chief of the Patrol Service and Head of the Monitoring and Analytics Department, Major Davit Ohanyan, who received a Medal of Gratitude, Major Yervand Nikoyan, Head of the Arabkir Police Department of Yerevan City Police, who was awarded a medal for “Excellence in Maintaining Public Order”, Colonel Armen Avetis Ghazaryan, Commander of the Escort Company of Yerevan City Police, Lieutenant Colonel Baghdasar Abrahamyan, First Deputy-Head of the N Military Unit of Police, and Lieutenant Colonel Grigor Shahinyan, Deputy-Head of the N Military Unit of Police.

After the awards ceremony, Prime Minister Pashinyan was briefed on the technical capabilities and equipment of the patrol vehicles. The Prime Minister also visited the newly established operational management center in the Shirak region to familiarize himself with the ongoing work and its technical endowment.