Police of Armenia explained

Agencyname:Police of Armenia
Commonname:Police of Armenia
Abbreviation:Armenian Police
Logocaption:Emblem of the Police of Armenia
Formedyear:2002
Headquarters:130 Nalbandyan St Yerevan
Chief1name:Aram Hovhannisyan
Chief1position:Chief of Police
Parentagency:Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia Government of Armenia

The Police of the Republic of Armenia is the national police of Armenia.[1] [2]

History

Soviet era

The first police service of Armenia was formed in 1918, under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the First Republic of Armenia. On April 21, 1920, a Militia was formed in Yerevan based on the Soviet model. It was later renamed to the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the Armenian SSR or the NKVD of the Armenian SSR, which was the Armenian subordinate to the NKVD headquarters in Moscow. In 1929, the NKVD of the Armenian SSR was dissolved and was reestablished in July 1934 as a reorganized political department. During World War II, the present-day building of the Armenian Police was built. The Armenian Regiment of Interior Forces of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs was established in 1963, and the Headquarters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Armenian SSR was founded in 1965.

Modern Armenia

On June 21, 1992, by order of President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia was formed from the former Soviet Internal Troops.[3] The ministry was active until December 2002, when the ministry, along with the Ministry of National Security, was reorganised into a non-ministerial institution, with the Ministry of Internal Affairs becoming the Police of Armenia.[4] The Armenian Ministry of Justice recommended the re-establishment of the ministry headed by a cabinet member in a three-year strategy of police reforms proposed to the government in 2019.[5] As part of a major structural reform of the national police service, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian announced plans to recreate the Interior Ministry.[6] [7] A patrol service became active in June 2021.[8]

On 16 September 2021, the Armenian Government signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Europol.[9] [10]

On 25 January 2024, a more complex cooperation agreement with Europol was ratified by the Armenian government. The agreement will facilitate the deployment of a liaison officer from Armenia's Ministry of Internal Affairs to Europol, enhancing operational collaboration and information exchange between Armenia and Europol.[11] On 2 February 2024, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Police Chief Major General Aram Hovhannisyan held meetings with Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle and CEPOL Executive Director Montserrat Marín López. The sides discussed the implementation of the provisions of the agreement signed between the Armenian police and Europol, as well as joining the SIENA system, among other issues of mutual interest.[12]

Leadership

The activities of the police are directed by the chief of the police, who is appointed by the president of Armenia at the nomination of the prime minister of Armenia.[1] The chief has one first deputy and several deputies,[13] appointed by the president upon nomination by the chief.[1]

The commander of the police troops is appointed by the president and serves as ex officio deputy chief of the police.[1] Each of the deputy chiefs is assigned a sphere of responsibility by the chief of police, who is also assisted by a group of Advisers.[1]

List of leaders (since 2003)

See also: List of chiefs of the Police of Armenia.

Central Body and Regional Divisions

The Police are organised into the Central Body, and 11 geographic divisions.[1] There is one police department for the city of Yerevan, and one for each of the 10 Provinces. The Departments of the Central Body are:[1]

National Central Bureau

The NCB is divided into three divisions:[14]

Public Relations and Press Department

The Committee of Public Relations (part of the Public Relations and Press Department) was founded on 21 March 1994.[15]

The department also maintains a 42-member Police Band (Հայաստանի ոստիկանության նվագախումբը, Vostikanutyan Nvagaxumb) based in Yerevan which is currently led by Baghdasar Grigoryan. The band was created on 1 August 1972. It performs similar functions to the Band of the Armenian Army General Staff, taking part in the most important events of the police and the state.[16] In 2019, it performed at the graduation party of Dubai Police Academy.[17]

Police Troops

The Armenian Police Troops are composed mainly of personnel from the former Police Special Forces (SDFs) and the Rapid Reaction Forces (SDFs), who have actively participated in all combat operations carried out by the former Armenian Internal Troops and the Soviet Internal Troops. On 21 June 1992, the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were formed by decree of Levon Ter-Petrosyan. The day of formation of the police troops is celebrated every year, on 21 June. In February 1999, the Deputy Minister of the Interior and Commander of the Internal Troops, Major General Artsrun Makarian, was found shot dead. On 14 December 2004, the Internal Troops were renamed to the Police Troops.[18] In 2009, there was a transition from conscription to contract service. In 2013 the International Institute for Strategic Studies attributed the force with four paramilitary brigades, 55 AIFV (including 45 BMP-1), 150 wheeled armoured personnel carriers, 100 transportation and cargo trucks.[19]

The military units of the Internal Troops of the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs had a wide range of activities: including the protection of special facilities, maintenance of public order, public security service, preliminary training of conscripts, and training of non-commissioned officers. The Internal Troops had a helicopter (aviation) unit, which, being provided with appropriate helicopters, performed various transportation services during combat operations.[20]

Wars

It took part in the Four-Day War and the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. During the latter war, sixty-five policemen were killed and six were considered missing. About 3,000 officers from the police troops went to the battlefront in shifts and took part in battles for Karvachar, Haterk, Jrakan, Berdzor and Shushi-Lisagor road.[21] In 2018, it was deployed to the Armenia–Azerbaijan border.[22] [23] It also took part in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.[24]

Special Operations Forces

It has carried out raids in the places of alleged "thieves' gatherings".[25] It took part in the "Cobalt-2016" joint exercise of special forces units of the CSTO at the Marshal Baghramyan Training Ground of the Ministry of Defense.[26]

Personnel

Oath

Persons serving in the Police, in front of the state flag of Armenia, in accordance with the procedure established by the Government of Armenia, take an oath with the following content:[27]

Uniforms

Decrees passed in October 2002 and April 2003 set the rules for police officers' uniforms.[1]

Weapons

Police personnel are armed primarily with Soviet-made firearms and ammunition, including Makarov PM and Tokarev TT-33 handguns, and AKS, AKM, and AK-74 automatic rifles.

Police Workers Day

Celebrated on 16 April, Police Workers Day (Armenian: Ոստիկանության օր) in Armenia commemorates personnel of the Police Central Body and the Police Troops. It was first celebrated in 2002 and was introduced year earlier by the National Assembly of Armenia. Traditionally, the President of Armenia and/or the Prime Minister of Armenia receives the salute at a ceremony in the Yerevan police headquarters.[28]

Ranks

Police ranks are classified into the following groups:[29]

Education

The Police Academy of Armenia, is the successor to the Secondary School of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which was founded in 1984. During the Soviet era, the Yerevan Higher School of the Ministry of Internal Affairs operated in the country.[30]

Equipment

Small arms

NameOriginTypePhoto
Pistols and submachine guns
9×19mm
Glock9×19mm
M1911.45 ACP
Makarov9×18mm
Tokarev TT-339×19mm
AK-74U5.45×39 mm
Assault Rifles
AK-74M5.45×39 mm
AK-745.45×39 mm
AKS-74
AKM7.62×39 mm
Sniper rifles
Dragunov SVD7.62×54 mm

Vehicles

NameOriginTypePhotoNotes
Vehicles and Aircraft
Škoda OctaviaPatrol CarThe latest models issued to the traffic police also known as Patrol. Slowly replacing Toyota Corolla and Camry models.[31]
Toyota CorollaPatrol CarUsed as primaries.
Toyota CamryPatrol CarUsed as secondaries.
Kia Forte / CadenzaPatrol CarGifted by South Korea to the Armenian Patrol Sentry Service Regiment.[32]
Chevrolet Sonic / AveoPatrol CarGeneral Department of State Protection of the Police.[33]
Hyundai ElantraPatrol CarUsed also by the Military Police.
Lada VAZPatrol CarCurrently being replaced. A few are still in service.
Lada PrioraPatrol CarUsed in rare situations.
IKCOPatrol CarUsed by some units, being replaced widely.
Dodge Charger Patrol CarTested in 2019. 300 units being delivered. Not seen in the public.
Ford Crown VictoriaPatrol Car there are 10 vehicles in service in Yerevan only;[34] [35] [36] [37] rarely used.
Toyota PradoPolice SUVUsed as a VIP transport. Old variants used by patrol and special units.
Hyundai TucsonPolice SUV
UAZ-469Police SUVUsed mostly in rural areas.
Chevrolet NivaPolice SUVDistributed to different divisions.[38]
UAZ PatriotPolice SUVUsed in support roles.
Toyota C-HRPolice SUVNew in service.
Chevrolet TahoeUnmarked VehicleUnmarked.
Mercedes-Benz G-ClassUnmarked VehicleUsed as VIP transport.
Chevrolet ExpressTransportation VehicleUnmarked transportation vehicle. Also used as prisoner transport.
Hyundai StarexTransportation VehicleUsed by the Armenian Patrol Sentry Service Regiment.
GAZelleTransportation VehicleUsed by specialized units. Some unmarked.
Toyota HiaceTransportation VehicleSupport roles.
UAZ-452Transportation VehicleMostly used in support roles.
Volkswagen TransporterTransportation VehicleLimited use.
PAZ-3205Transportation VehicleUsed for riot roles and transport.
Ural-4320Transport / Cargo TruckFew converted to riot trucks.
KamAZ-43501Transport / Cargo TruckVery limited usage.
CNHTC Riot ControlRiot Control VehicleFitted with armored and riot equipment. Used for riot control.
GMC GrummanRiot Control VehicleFitted with armored and riot equipment. Used for riot control and prisoner transport.
GAZ-2975 "Tigr"Armored VehicleUsed by special forces, riot police, and rapid response units.
BTR-80Armored Personnel CarrierUsed for riot control and counter-terrorism. Most APCs have their guns replaced with water cannons.
BRDM-2Armored Personnel CarrierUsed for riot control. Guns replaced with water cannons.
Mi-8Transport HelicopterFew used by the Armenian Police for transport.
Eurocopter EC130Transport HelicopterFew used for transporting and other operations.[39]
Eurocopter EC635 / EC 135Transport HelicopterFew used for transporting and other operations.[40]

See also

Links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Policing Profiles of Participating and Partner States. Aermenia . POLIS – Policing OnLine Information System. 2009-03-08 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091015020002/http://polis.osce.org/countries/details?item_id=5 . 2009-10-15 .
  2. Interpol entry Retrieved 14 May 2007
  3. See for example http://www.mia.gov.az/index.php?/en/content/278/
  4. Web site: FROM THE RA POLICE HISTORY: CHRONICS. 2018-07-19.
  5. Web site: Armenian Government Plans to Set up Interior Ministry .
  6. Web site: Process of formation of home affairs ministry on agenda – Armenia's PM - aysor.am - Hot news from Armenia .
  7. Web site: Creation of interior ministry on agenda – Armenian PM on Police reforms ARMENPRESS Armenian News Agency.
  8. Web site: Nikol Pashinyan: "The patrol service is supposed to bring in a breath of fresh air, new work style and culture" .
  9. Web site: The Republic of Armenia-European Union Partnership.
  10. Web site: Armenia and Europol sign agreement to combat cross-border serious organised crime.
  11. Web site: Armenia Strengthens Law Enforcement with Europol Cooperation Agreement.
  12. Web site: Armenian police chief meets Europol, CEPOL directors.
  13. Web site: Internet / Home – INTERPOL . https://web.archive.org/web/20070714174651/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Region/Europe/pjsystems/Charts/Armenia.pdf . dead . 2007-07-14 . Interpol.int . 2017-09-26 . 2017-10-01 .
  14. Web site: Internet / Home – INTERPOL . http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20080301041901/http://www.interpol.int/Public/Region/Europe/pjsystems/Charts/ncbArmenia.pdf . dead . 2008-03-01 . Interpol.int . 2017-09-26 . 2017-10-01 .
  15. Web site: One. Studio. ՀՀ ոստիկանության հասարակայնության հետ կապի և լրատվության վարչությունը 20 տարեկան է (ՏԵՍԱՆՅՈՒԹ) – ՆՈՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆՆԵՐ – ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՈՍՏԻԿԱՆՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ. 2021-03-18. www.police.am. ru.
  16. Web site: The RA Police Orchestra – Tricolor. 2021-03-16.
  17. Web site: ՀՀ ոստիկանության զորքերի նվագախումբը՝ Դուբայի ոստիկանության ակադեմիայի ավարտական երեկոյին (լուսանկարներ). 2021-04-11. armdaily.am.
  18. Web site: DocumentView. 2021-03-16. www.arlis.am.
  19. IISS Military Balance 2013, 216.
  20. Web site: Ոստիկանության զորքերի կանոնադրություն. 2020-06-20. www.irtek.am. hy.
  21. Web site: Law enforcement: 65 Armenia Police officers died in Artsakh war. 2021-07-02. news.am.
  22. Web site: Newspaper: Armenia Police Internal Troops to be sent to borders. 2021-07-02. news.am.
  23. Web site: Police troops assume important mission on providing support to Armenian Armed Forces – PM Pashinyan. 2021-07-02. armenpress.am.
  24. Web site: Armenia celebrates Day of formation of Police Troops. 2021-07-02. armenpress.am.
  25. Web site: Полицейский спецназ Армении нагрянул в места «воровских сходок».
  26. Web site: Полицейский спецназ стран ОДКБ готовится "обезвредить" террористов в Армении.
  27. Web site: Legislation: National Assembly of Armenia.
  28. Web site: День работника полиции Армении.
  29. Web site: Պատմություն - ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՈՍՏԻԿԱՆՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ.
  30. Web site: Учебные заведения. 2021-07-10. shieldandsword.mozohin.ru.
  31. Web site: New police patrol service launches in Yerevan. 2021-07-07. armenpress.am.
  32. Web site: South Korean Government Gave Kia Car to Armenia's Police as a Present. 2021-02-26. armedia.am.
  33. Web site: One. Studio. Ոստիկանության պետական պահպանության գլխավոր վարչություն. մարդկանց անվտանգությունն ու գույքի և ունեցվածքի պահպանությունը' հուսալի ձեռքերում (ՏԵՍԱՆՅՈՒԹ) – ՆՈՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆՆԵՐ – ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՈՍՏԻԿԱՆՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ. 2021-02-28. www.police.am. ru.
  34. https://www.reddit.com/r/PoliceVehicles/comments/rltu2x/armenian_polices_ford_crown_victoria/
  35. https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1038824/
  36. https://www.frontlineclub.com/armenian_youth_rally_for_detained_activist/
  37. https://www.newsinfo.am/eng/article/view/EyQbBDYGWu
  38. Web site: One. Studio. Վանաձորի ոստիկանները կողոպուտի դեպք են բացահայտել (ՏԵՍԱՆՅՈՒԹ) – ՆՈՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆՆԵՐ – ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԻ ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՈՍՏԻԿԱՆՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ. 2021-02-28. www.police.am. ru.
  39. Web site: LLC. Helix Consulting. Ուժեղացված ծառայություն. ՀՀ ոստիկանության պետը ուղղաթիռից հետևել է ծառայությանը (տեսանյութ) – Այսօր' թարմ լուրեր Հայաստանից. 2021-02-28. www.aysor.am.
  40. Web site: ՃՈ-ն ուժեղացված ծառայության իրականացմանը ներգրավել է ուղղաթիռ. 2021-02-28. armenpress.am. hy.