Armenia

Major Police Functions

The major duties of the police are the maintenance of public order and the fight against crime. Public order duties include traffic control; public security measures; implementation of the passport system and visa control; control of arms explosives, assistance to other government agencies when required; and aid to the population and authorities during natural disasters. A special corps of the police force is the institution of sectional inspectors—police officers who monitor the fulfillment of laws in various territorial areas. The crime fighting function of the police includes measures to prevent crime, arresting [Page 946]suspects, criminal investigations, escorting prisoners and detainees, and administrative supervision of released prisoners. Pretrial police powers extend to identity checks, questioning, and detention.

Organization of the Police Force

The police force is divided into a number of structural divisions dealing with particular crimes or groups of people, for instance, minors, organized crime, drug-related offenses, passport and visa services, and so forth. The traffic police division is a structural part of the national police force charged with the duty to monitor traffic, administer traffic-related issues, inspect and commandeer motor vehicles, and issue driving licenses. A Special Force Police Department, which receives better training and equipment, has been created to deal with riots, terrorist attacks, and other unusual situations. Police officers are allowed to apply physical force and special means and weapons to prevent resistance or offenses while conducting their service responsibilities.

Recruiting and Training of Police Force

The training of police officers is conducted by police training schools, which are institutions of secondary professional education (high school students) and institutions of higher education (high school graduates). A graduate of one of these schools will receive an officer's rank and a law degree. These institutions are run by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Law enforcement personnel are recruited from the graduates of civilian law schools also. Women serve in the Armenian police; however, their service is usually limited to analytical and clerical work and work with minors.

Other Law Enforcement Organizations

Other police-related functions, mostly investigatory, are conducted by the Border Guard, Customs Service, and National Security Service within their respective competence. The Service of Compulsory Enforcement is another law enforcement institution within the Ministry of Justice aimed at the enforcement of legal acts and court rulings.

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