In 2023, the Internal Security and Anti-Corruption Department was established within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, operating under the direct supervision of the Minister of Internal Affairs. The new Police Reform Strategy for 2024-2026 also addresses the development issues of this department.

In a conversation with Iravaban.net, Natali Sahakyan, Head of the Strategic Planning, Policy Development and Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, noted that the main objectives of the subdivision are to increase public trust in the ministry and the police, as well as to prevent possible violations of discipline, integrity, and ethics.

“Or the detection of such cases, as well as the elimination of their causes and contributing circumstances. Great attention is paid to the continuous development of the capabilities and skills of the subdivision’s personnel.

Cooperation with other officials related to the field is also emphasized, as well as the development of annual programs, the analysis of which will allow identifying existing problems,” Sahakyan noted.

The official also emphasized the importance of the code of conduct developed for police officers, which is based on the standard code of conduct for public servants.

Changes have also been made to the disciplinary code: “The new code defines disciplinary standards, and the procedure for conducting service investigations has been modernized with the application of digital technologies.”

The ministry also reports that during 2024, 1911 service investigations and studies were conducted in the Internal Security and Anti-Corruption Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 53 officers were dismissed, and 46 criminal proceedings were initiated.

At the same time, 21 police officers were dismissed from police service not as a disciplinary sanction, but under Article 45, Part 1, Clauses 9, 9.1, and 11.1 of the “Law on Police Service.”

7 disciplinary sanctions were applied to civil servants of the structural subdivisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in particular: 2 “Warnings” and 5 “Reprimands” were issued.

27 disciplinary sanctions were applied to officers of the Rescue Service, including:

• “Reprimand” was issued to 11
• “Severe Reprimand” was issued to 12
• Basic salary was reduced by up to 20 percent for 2
• Service was terminated for 2

7 disciplinary sanctions were applied to civil servants of the Migration and Citizenship Service, specifically: 3 “Warnings” and 4 “Reprimands” were issued.

30 disciplinary sanctions were applied to employees of organizations under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in particular: 23 “Reprimands” and 7 “Severe Reprimands” were issued.

During 2024, the Internal Security and Anti-Corruption Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs prepared and sent materials from 51 service investigations to preliminary investigation bodies, which initiated 46 criminal proceedings (36 regarding police officers, 1 regarding rescue service, 5 regarding migration and citizenship service, 2 regarding structural subdivisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 1 regarding employees of subordinate organizations, 1 regarding citizens).

These contained elements of receiving bribes, abuse or exceeding official powers (including with the use of violence or the threat of using it), official forgery, official negligence, falsification of evidence, explanations or procedural documents, disclosure of information containing state secrets, embezzlement of entrusted property, fraud, theft, extortion, theft of documents, acquisition or sale of criminally obtained property, failure to perform or improper performance of duties for the safekeeping of firearms, weapons, ammunition, abuses in public bidding or procurement, and assistance in illegal border crossing.

During 6 sessions of the disciplinary committee convened at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 40 materials of service investigations concerning 45 police officers were discussed. As a result of the discussions, by orders of the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Chief of Police-Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, disciplinary sanctions were applied to 43 police officers, particularly: 3 officers were issued a “Reprimand,” 3 officers a “Severe Reprimand,” and 37 officers were dismissed from police service. In addition, the service investigation against 1 police officer was terminated, and the discussion of the materials of the service investigation conducted against 1 officer and the conclusion drawn up based on its results was postponed.

According to Natali Sahakyan, the ministry will also be consistent in monitoring the behavior of persons dismissed from service to reduce transparency and conflict of interest risks. A study will be conducted on mechanisms for ensuring transparency and mitigating conflict of interest risks during the post-employment period for persons discharged from police service, based on an analysis of international standards (including GRECO) and best practices of at least 5 Council of Europe member states.

A draft of legislative changes will be developed based on the report.

The “Public Oversight and Awareness of Effective and Inclusive Police Reforms” sub-grant is implemented by the “Armenian Lawyers Association” within the framework of the “Monitoring of Justice Sector Reforms in Armenia” program funded by the European Union, under a grant announced by the “Social Justice” NGO.

The project aims to increase civil society participation in monitoring police reforms and assessing their impact by providing structural engagement mechanisms, independent evaluation, and raising public awareness.

This article was prepared with the financial support of the European Union. The “Armenian Lawyers Association” non-governmental organization is responsible for the content, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.