Will the Reputation of the Police Be Restored?

The day after being appointed as the chief of police, Vladimir Gasparyan initiated serious personnel changes in the system. Now, the RA Police, wake up every morning wondering if it is their turn. They even say that Vano’s times are returning. 

Question: In your opinion, what is the goal of Vladimir Gasparyan dismissing of police officers one after the other. What will be the result of these dismissals?  Will it re-establish the discredited reputation of the police officer. 

Answer: In my opinion, the dismissal of the policemen has two reasons. First, Vova Gasparyan knows what he is doing and second, only the people who know they will be dismissed wake up with that expectation. I think V. Gasparyan is trying to improve the system and change it in accordance with the demands towards him. As to  restoring the discredited reputation of the police officer, I should say that there seems to be a significant change in that  sphere, because the situation used to be much worse. I think it will be clear later what results these personnel changes will yield. (Vahan Shirkhanyan, a Member of Central Department of SDHP)

Answer: It is not V. Gasparyan’s issue. If someone else had been appointed the person would do the same. In our country, when a new person comes in to head a system, he first of all comes in with a political agenda from the head of the republic, knowing exactly what issues he is supposed to solve. Today, everybody selects new staff according to his whim and taste, as we have seen several times, that personnel changes are done on the basis of party affiliation. I think government institutions are not yet established here. In reality, they should be independent and stable. However in this context, the action is probably prompted by the logic of the pre-election period; that is, they are forming personnel, which will implement political orders. I think the situation in the police will get worse. (Artur Sakunts, a human rights activist and Chairman of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor)
 
Answer: And what changes is he making? If he is dismissing someone from one position and assigning them another position, it does not mean he is making changes. Only the head of the regime makes such changes. As to the issued raised about the discredit of the reputation of the police officer, it happened when the police conducted unlawful actions against several political prisoners on March 1st. I think neither the president, nor the prime-minister, nor will anyone else be able to restore the discredited reputation of the police officer. (Davit Matevosyan, a member of ANC Central Office)

Answer: I think we can speak about the restoration of the discredited reputation of the police officer when the police are able to regain the trust of the public through their work. As to Vova Gasparyan’s activities, I should state that he is forming his team to be able to fulfill the tasks and duties assigned to him. (Armen Martirosyan, MP of Heritage Fraction)

Prepared by Mery Hunanyan
Source: www.armlur.am