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YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Justice held a discussion on the formation of a new law enforcement branch of the police which is expected to join the current Police Troops, the General Department of State Protection of Police and accompanying police battalions into a single national police force known as Police Guard.
Deputy Justice Minister Arpine Sargsyan chaired the meeting.
Deputy Defense Minister Arman Sargsyan, Police Troops Commander, Deputy Chief of Police Hayk Babayan and representatives of government agencies, international organizations and civil society participated in the discussion.
Arpine Sargsyan highlighted the continuity of police reforms.
The national police guard’s functions will include: maintaining public order and public safety, protection of state structures and other essential areas, providing security for transporting special cargo, providing support to the security details of high-ranking government officials, as well as visiting foreign delegations.
Sargsyan added that currently service in the Police Troops is regulated by the military-legal legislation and governed by the Law on Military Service and Status of Servicemembers, despite being a police division. Thus, there is a need to “demilitarize” the Police Troops.
Overall, she added, the formation of the Police Guard and the demilitarization of Police Troops pertains to the cultural and legal demilitarization of the police institution. The changes will require structural and legislative changes and a special roadmap with timeframes will be developed.