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Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan observed a tactical crowd-control exercise conducted by Police Guard units and inspected their new weapons, equipment and special-purpose gear.
She was accompanied by Deputy Ministers Kamo Tsutsulyan, who is also Chief of Police, and Armen Mkrtchyan, as well as Ministry Secretary General Tigran Yenokyan.
A meeting was subsequently held, during which Hayk Babayan, Commander of the Police Guard and Deputy Chief of Police, presented a summary report on the unit's activities over the past year.
According to the ministry’s press release, Babayan noted that the Police Guard had uncovered around 1,000 crimes over the past year and ensured public order and security during numerous public, cultural and sporting events.
The Ministry said that Sargsyan highlighted as an important achievement the introduction of a new institutional approach to maintaining public order and security through the establishment of the Police Guard.
Referring to the positive crime-solving figures achieved by Police Guard officers, the minister stressed the need to intensify and continue consistent efforts to solve crimes.
Sargsyan also emphasized the importance of the Negotiation Unit, a new component in this process, highlighting the need to develop and expand its capabilities to fulfill its core mission.
According to the minister, no serious incidents were recorded during major events held this year, which was also the result of the work carried out by Negotiation Unit officers.
Addressing the continuous development of officers' capabilities, the minister stressed the importance of training, particularly in ensuring proper compliance with the standards for the use of force, and emphasized that any deviation from these standards is unacceptable. The Minister of Internal Affairs also underscored the importance of ensuring that all Police Guard units are fully staffed and instructed officials to work toward building a stable workforce.
The Minister of Internal Affairs and the Chief of Police presented awards to several Police Guard officers for their dedicated service.