The Ministry of Internal Affairs celebrated Police Day. The solemn ceremony was held near the administrative building of the Ministry.
The event was attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia- Irakli Garibashvili, the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament - Shalva Papuashvili, members of the government, Georgian Parliament, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia and employees of various structural units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri congratulated police officers on their professional day and awarded the employees of the Agency.
In his speech, Vakhtang Gomelauri expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister- Irakli Garibashvili for his continuous support of each policeman. As Vakhtang Gomelauri noted, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with the support of the government, is improving the social conditions of policemen on the regular basis, increasing their salaries, developing professional skills, creating decent working conditions, updating the infrastructure, vehicle fleet, machinery and equipment.
"Today, we all celebrate the policeman's day here - the day of those people who serve their homeland with dignity and loyalty on a daily basis, 24 hours a day, those people who ensure the protection of the state border and security of their country, public order, human rights and freedom, fight crime, those people who fight for people's safety and protect their health, saving lives; you create a safe present day and peaceful future of our country.
This day resembles to Thanksgiving Day, once again I would like to, loudly, publicly and deservedly say thank you for your sleepless nights, dedicated service to the homeland, tireless fight against crime, for the lives of other people saved at the cost of their own health and lives.
I would also like to thank your families for their encouragement, support and for standing by your side.
I am proud that today Georgia has a strong, professional police force focused on empowering the rule of law and protection of fundamental human rights.
As the Minister of Internal Affairs, I will not tolerate discrediting the honorable police officers and will always be unbiased, fair defender of your honor and dignity.
Police officers, I once again congratulate you on your professional day.
Our strength is in our unity. I assure you that only with unified efforts and joint diligence we’ll be able to protect order and security in the country, life, health, rights and freedom of our citizens.
May you honorably fulfill your professional duties and return to your families safely, peacefully, and unharmed after each working day.
I wish you success while serving your motherland and people,"- stated Vakhtang Gomelauri.
In his speech, the Minister of Internal Affairs spoke about the merits of the policemen who died in the line of duty and honored their memory with a moment of silence.
"Unfortunately, many decent policemen died in the fight for the unity of Georgia and while performing their professional duties. It is the unforgettable merits and heroic examples of such policemen that the Georgian state stands on, and the Georgian police continues their path," – noted the Minister of Internal Affairs.
After the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Prime Minister of Georgia - Irakli Garibashvili addressed the police officers.
"I congratulate all of you on the Policeman Day my precious, our praiseworthy policemen! I congratulate the Minister of Internal Affairs, the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and each of its employees on their professional day. Protection of the best interests of our country and our people, security of each citizen, a strong and constantly developing police force is a necessary precondition for the strength and progress of our state. I take pride in the Georgian police. I am proud of our police being exactly what it is today. Currently, when our country, our people and the government are strengthening our state together, striving to create a modern, European state, we can confidently say that we already have a modern and – most importantly – highly skilled police of truly European standards.This, of course, is the result of large-scale reforms implemented in recent years. It is the result of the effective work performed by our Minister – Vakhtang Gomelauri – and his team. And of course, it is the result of the tireless, dedicated work of each of you. You have achieved what many thought unthinkable in the not-so-distant past. You have gained the full trust, outstanding respect and love of the public. Therefore, together with you, I congratulate our people on this day. With loyalty to the law, society and country, hard work performed round the clock, often at the cost of your own life, caring for the lives of others, you are doing an invaluable service for the safety of our citizens and the well-being of our homeland. Unfortunately, many of your heroic colleagues and friends sacrificed their most precious – lives – to save others. Today, together with you, I will once again honor the bright memory of your heroic comrades who have fallen while performing their professional duties.
It is the duty of our government to reward you for your work. You deserve only the best. I want to assure you that the support and efforts of our government will be further solidified and our efforts will acquire even greater dimensions. You know how precious the Georgian police and this ministry is to me. I was honored and blessed to serve with you in this ministry. I am glad and happy that today, once again, I have the opportunity to express my highest respect to you. Once again I confirm my support and respect. Happy Policeman Day to you all, once again! I wish you success, prosperity and victory. May God protect you”- concluded the Prime Minister.
The Chairman of the Georgian Parliament- Shalva Papuashvili, congratulated the policemen on their professional day and addressed them with a speech.
“As the son of a policeman, it is a great honor for me to congratulate you on Policeman's Day.
It is a great honor and a huge responsibility at the same time to be a police officer and to serve our homeland and people in a round-the-clock regime. Over the years, the Georgian police has formed into a modern, well-equipped, highly qualified force of European standards.
Georgian police and our law enforcement system as a whole is exemplary for many countries in the region and outside the region as well. You risk your lives and health on the daily basis to keep our citizens safe. In recent period, we witnessed the professionalism of our police officers more than once. The security and stability of our country, as well as the protection of the rights of our citizens, are ensured all thanks to you. You have a leading role in ensuring state order, rule of law and justice. Your merits and qualification are recognized by European institutions, confirmed with court precedents that your actions fully comply with the requirements of human rights protection.
I would like to express my gratitude to each police officer who tirelessly and devotedly fulfill their duty to their families, children, Georgian society and the country as a whole.
Today, I bow before those police officers who sacrificed their most precious lives for our country while fulfilling their duties. I would like to take this opportunity and thank the Minister of Internal Affairs - Vakhtang Gomelauri for his work, the results of which are visible to everyone - the police and each unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, oriented to take a good care of the country and each citizen. I am proud of you and I wish each police officer a good health and success in such a responsible and difficult work," - noted Shalva Papuashvili.
