“This is a historical opportunity for change,” the Deputy Minister of Justice said about the new Patrol Service

The introduction of the Patrol Service is the first visible step in the police reforms, which was approved in April 2020. On 18 July, during the public discussion organised by the "Union of Informed Citizens" NGO, speaking about the creation of a new Patrol Service, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Kristinne Grigoryan noted that the police reforms are one of the priorities of the current Government. "The reforms are aimed at making the developments in the Police in line with modern challenges," Kristinne Grigoryan noted, then presented the results of a survey conducted by the International Republican Institute: to the question how the public evaluates the work of the Police during the pandemic, 65% of those surveyed noted that the work is better than before.

"The Patrol Service is the good example of how to act more efficiently and people-centered in terms of maintaining public order or ensuring public safety, organising road safety," the Deputy Minister said, adding that the Government strives to have a police, which is typical of a democratic society and which serves not the political interests of today's authorities, but to ensure public safety and crime prevention.

Kristinne Grigoryan also informed that the Patrol Service will launch its activities in Yerevan from Q1 2021, whereas throughout Armenia — from Q1 2022. "The aim of the phased approach is to train sufficient number of staff with sufficient quality, and not to have a pipeline of mass staff training without necessary quality." This is a historical opportunity for change and each of our citizens must become a participant or supporter of that change," the Deputy Minister of Justice said.

Let us remind that citizens of the Republic of Armenia at the age of 18-35 can enter the service in the new structure after passing a relevant training.

The minimum salary of patrol officers will comprise AMD 320 000. Social guarantees are also envisaged for them.

The recruitment of patrol officers will take place exclusively through an open competition as a result of selection of officers and implementation of a 5-month educational training programme organised for them.

The Patrol Service will have new apparel; will be fully equipped with special weapons, means of transport and technical equipment.