Deputy chief police of Armenia and general/major Hovhannes Varyan probably knew beforehand that president Robert Kocharyan was going to rank him general/lieutenant for “his service for the homeland”. He had come prepared, in uniform and most importantly with white gloves, which he kept taking off and showing.
April 14 marked the 5th anniversary of the police of Armenia and it was celebrated at the sport complex named after Vazgen Sargsyan. The former deputy chief police Ararat Mahtesyan was also ranked general/lieutenant. As for the chief police of Armenia Hayk Harutyunyan, he was ranked general/colonel for “his service for the Homeland”. The general/colonel is the highest rank in the Armenian Armed Forces. Before Hayk Harutyunyan, only two people had that rank: adviser to the president and chief military officer of Armenia Gurgen Dalibaltayan and head of the main headquarters of the Armenian Armed Forces Micheal Harutyunyan. Currently, the third general/colonel is the chief of police. But there are some rumors flying around that Hayk Harutyuyan will not get too comfortable being a chief police officer at the same time. The political elite is already thinking about substituting a new chief police officer.
The president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan also awarded other Armenian officers on April 14 with medals and ranks. It is worth mentioning that the top deputy officers were awarded, including the chief police officer, the deputies and many heads of departments. In other words, individuals who are top-deputies and whose names are well-known among members of society. It turned out that this celebration was only for the administrative staff. The “average” official simply witnessed how their authorities received the attention they deserved. Many were there as observers and didn’t really receive anything.
The next award recipient was head of the Passport and Visa department and police colonel Alvina Zakaryan, who received a 2nd degree medal from the president for “her service to the Homeland”. The press has stated over and over about the illegalities of the head and workers of the passport and visa department. Everyone knows that our Armenian compatriots living abroad can change their passports or prolong the expiration dates just by paying 100 dollars to the department. This is a violation of the law. Handing out passports to individuals under the age of 18 has become a source of income. It is required to get the consent of both parents confirmed by the notary, but the thing is that one of the parents of the minor traveling abroad, usually the father, is out of the country. So, instead of getting the consent confirmed by the notary, the department officials send the changed passport to our compatriots living abroad for 100 dollars.
Head of the main department of criminal investigation and police/colonel Hayk Militonyan, head of the main department of the fight against organized crimes and general/major of the police Ashot Giziryan, as well as others received awards. According to R. Kocharyan, Armenian police are doing their job well and securing the nation. Meanwhile, the evidence points in the other direction. Recently, chief police of Yerevan Nerses Nazaryan announced that the number of crimes has gone up by 13% in the first trimester of 2006 compared to the first trimester of 2005. I really don’t think that they should receive the awards.
The president of Armenia announced that police have to pay more attention to the issues concerning citizens, including maintenance of social order and transportation laws. It’s no secret that the police are mainly the ones violating the social and transportation laws. On that day, after the celebration, the police got in their personal or service cars and committed so many violations and scared other drivers, it seemed like they were going home after their graduation.
But I’m certain that there are some officials at the police department who truly follow the laws and are really worried over the stability of our nation. That’s why we say, Happy Police Day, dear police officer.