A meeting with DCAF experts titled «Democratic police, equal rights and opportunities» takes place in the Police

On September 15 a meeting titled «Democratic Police, equal rights and opportunities» took place between Head of the Department of Internal Security of Police of the Republic of Armenia, Police Colonel Vahe Harutyunyan and exeprts of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces Mia Tuominen and Heather Huhtanen.
Vahe Harutyunayan thanked the DCAF experts for attending the meeting and, in response to the questions posed, Mr. Harutyunyan spoke about the role and significance of the Department of Internal Security of the RA Police and introduced the procedure of conducting internal investigations.  
Vahe Harutyunyan noted that the rules of professional conduct (ethical rules) of police officers are vested in article 10 of the RA law «On approval of Police Disciplinary Code». Police employees who have violated the above-mentioned rules face disciplinary actions and in case of grave disciplinary violations the issue of imposing a disciplinary action has been discussed and the type of penalty has been determined by the Police Disciplinary Committee since 2013.
Simultaneously, Vahe Harutyunyan stated that the role of the Committee is highly assessed by Head of Police of the Republic of Armenia, Lieutenant General Vladimir Gasparyan, as the existence of such a Committe  within the Police system proves the transparency and publicity of police activities.
In pursuance of the RA Police Chief’s order, the responsibility for coordination and implementation of the Commission's activity is laid upon the Head of the Department of Internal Security. The mentioned Commission is headed by First Deputy Head of the RA Police, Police Lieutenant General Hunan Poghosyan.
Vahe Harutyunyan noted that in case an internal investigation is launched and features of crime are revealed in its course, the investigation materials are submitted to the RA Special Investigation Service, and the course of internal investigation is suspended until the Special Investigation Service issues a final decision.
To ensure the completeness and integrity of investigations, the Department of Internal Security closely cooperates with the RA Special Investigation Service, RA Investigation Committe and other bodies of preliminary investigation.
Vahe Harutyunyan told the DCAF experts that in addition to the the police "Hot line" service, the "1-02" service also functions within the Police. Each report received from citizens via the two services is considered and processed in the prescribed manner.
Summing up the meeting, DCAF experts Mia Tuominen and Heather Huhtanen highly assessed the efforts of the RA Police towards strengthening democracy, rule of law and police-citizen relations, and highlighted the importance of the Police Disciplinary Committee's activity which includes NGO representatives as well.
Simultaneously, the experts expressed satisfaction with the fact that Yerevan has left on them an impression of a safe and secure city with many amenities.