Armenian PM: Police must be entitled to use force

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that police must be entitled to use force.

Pashinyan made these remarks at a governmental meeting on May 2, Caliber.Az reports citing the Armenian media.

In response to the legislative initiative to create a police guard, Pashinyan said that the project is an extremely important step in reforming the police.

“Armenia takes a consistent approach to this issue, not seeking rapid changes, but is focused on developing a holistic and correct police system,” he said.

Pashinyan noted that standardisation plays a key role in this process, especially given the forceful nature of the police.

He stressed the need for clear standards and laws that will protect both citizens and police officers.

“The policemen are law enforcement officers, which means that the police must have the legal right to use force, if they do not have this right, the police as a service will become meaningless,” he said.

The prime minister expressed confidence that “the cooperation among the government, parliament, police and civil society will help in the successful implementation of these standards, protecting the interests of society and the state, as well as human rights”.

The Armenian government approved a new bill “On the Police Guard” at a meeting on May 2 which involves the creation of a police unit, a guard, differing from the police forces.

Armenian Deputy Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan, who presented the project, emphasised that the guard will protect public order, facilities, transport special cargo and implement other functions not related to the country’s defence, which distinguishes it from the police forces.

The guard will consist of police forces, the Main Directorate of State Police Protection, special police units and the Main Directorate of Criminal Police. It will report to the Police Department and will be under the general supervision of the Chief of Police and the direct supervision of the Police Guard.

The bill covers the status, structure, tasks and functions of the Police Guard, as well as the rights and obligations of its officers, including the proportionality of their use of force. The Police Guard will operate under civilian administration and parliamentary control. Territorial units of direct subordination will also be created to ensure security in several regions of the country.