The Ministry of Internal Affairs celebrated an event dedicated to the Policeman's Day. The ceremonial event, which was held near the administrative building of the Ministry, was attended by the President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, members of the government and Parliament, representatives of the diplomatic corps and employees of various departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
At the event dedicated to Policeman's Day, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the President of Georgia, the Prime Minister of Georgia, the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, and the Mayor of Tbilisi addressed the policemen, congratulated them on their professional day and expressed gratitude for their contribution to public security and the rule of law.
Mikheil Kavelashvili and Gela Geladze awarded employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for their exceptional dedication and courage in the performance of their official duties.
At the ceremonial event, the President of Georgia presented the former Minister of Internal Affairs, Colonel General, Vakhtang Gomelauri, with the State Award of Georgia - the first-degree Vakhtang Gorgasali Order, for exceptional merits while serving homeland and the nation.
At the event, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the police officers who fell while performing their official duties.
In his regard, the Minister of Internal Affairs noted that today is a special day - a day that belongs to the police officers - those people who tirelessly ensure peace, security and order in the country.
“It is a great honor for me to address you for the first time as the head of this most important government institution. I would like to express my sincere respect and gratitude to you. You stand guard over the security of our citizens in a round-the-clock regime, often at the risk of your own lives, protecting the country's borders and tirelessly fighting crime.
It is you who ensure a secure future where our children, parents and each citizen of this country should live in a peaceful, stable and development-oriented environment,” – noted the Minister of Internal Affairs.
According to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the uniform of a police officer is not just an attire. It means to be wearing the dignity. It is an oath – expressed not only in words, but also with actions. This is an inner calling that requires courage, dedication and readiness to serve the country faithfully.
"It is a matter of pride that you are walking this difficult path with dignity, you are always there where the country and our citizens need you. You are the force that faces danger with confidence, courage and the highest professionalism. We thank you for your dedication! I would like to express gratitude towards your families, parents, spouses, and children, for whom the time spent with you is the most precious, which they often sacrifice so that you can serve the country. Dear police officers, I would like to assure you that the state and society appreciate your work and efforts. We see and know that despite daily challenges as well as physical or moral pressure, you stand steadfastly guarding security and stand as a shield for the future of our homeland," - stated Gela Geladze.
Gela Geladze expressed special gratitude towards the President of Georgia, the Prime Minister, members of the Government and Parliament, and the ruling team for supporting police on the regular basis.
In his speech, Gela Geladze stated that it is a great responsibility for him to lead the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.
In addition, the Minister of Internal Affairs emphasized that he will always be the defender of each police officer.
“It is a great responsibility for me to lead the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia - especially after such a decent professional as Mr. Vakhtang Gomelauri.
I promise you - as the Minister of Internal Affairs and as a police officer – to always be the defender of the dignity and honor of each police officer!
I thank you once again and I am proud to serve along with you! I wish you strength, health, courage and endurance - so that to have even safer and stronger upcoming days”- the Minister of Internal Affairs noted.
The President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, thanked the police for fulfilling duties assigned to them by the Georgian state and the Georgian people.
“I would like to thank all those police officers who wear the uniform with dignity and are ready to sacrifice their lives without hesitation for the sake of others; thank you for always being on the front lines of the battle, creating a safe environment for our population, protecting Georgia’s state borders, and fighting natural disasters. Thank you for faithfully serving the homeland!” - the President of Georgia stated.
After the President of Georgia, the Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze addressed the police.
The Prime Minister stated that it is a great accomplishment of law enforcement officers that Georgia is one of the leading countries in the world today as a safe state.
“We congratulate you on this day and thank you for the great work you perform on the regular basis to ensure the security of our country and the peaceful life of its citizens. You are the first to stand guard over the law, protect public order, fight crime and ensure the safety of each of us.
This service, along with professionalism, requires special courage, dedication and constant readiness to take risks, even at the cost of your own lives.
Your work is often invisible to the general public. However, its results - a calm environment, protected citizens, a sense of justice, can be felt in everyday lives of each of us.
It is you who are the greatest contributors to the fact that Georgia today holds one of the leading positions in the world as a safe country.
It is your accomplishment that today a Georgian policeman is a symbol of trust and security for the citizens of our country, today the Georgian police operates on a much higher standard than European and American counterparts, which has been clearly confirmed once again by recent events. Over the past four years, the Georgian police prevented four attempts to intrude Georgia's sovereignty and overthrow the government. I would like to take this opportunity and express my gratitude once again to the person who led the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia for many years, making special contribution in reforming police - Vakhtang Gomelauri, for the professionalism and patriotism with which he served his country for many years. I believe that the new Minister, Mr. Gela Geladze, will complete the work started by Vakhtang Gomelauri with great success," - the Prime Minister of Georgia noted.
The Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili also addressed the police officers.
According to Shalva Papuashvili, law enforcement officers have recently had to make special efforts and demonstrate high professionalism in order to maintain public order and a safe environment.
“Local and foreign radical groups attempted to establish violent demonstrations as a norm and common practice, however they were not given such opportunity. You have proven once again that even in the most difficult situations, against the backdrop of insults and physical attacks, you have performed your duties on a highest level and handled the developments properly. Violence, vandalism, attacks on law enforcement officers and public institutions go beyond any definition of peaceful protest. Anyone who claims otherwise is an enemy of democracy. In times of violence, the state has not only the right to act, but it is an obligation. You have faithfully fulfilled this obligation of the state, successfully dealt with the attack against the constitutional order of Georgia and defended the sovereignty of the country with dignity. You risk your lives and health on a daily basis so that we can live in a peaceful and safe environment. Your activities are defined with tireless work, patience, courage and dedication. This is an effort that is often invisible, yet extremely important and valuable. I would like to commemorate and honor the memory of those police officers who sacrificed their lives to create a peaceful environment for our fellow citizens. Their courage will forever remain in our memories," - noted Shalva Papuashvili.
The mayor of the capital, Kakha Kaladze, also congratulated the police officers on their professional day.
According to him, raising a hand against a police officer equals to attacking state institutions and everyone should understand the importance of the role of a police officer in terms of building a state.
"It is a great honor for me to congratulate you, our heroic and tireless police officers, on your professional day. You are those people, whose daily work, in many respects, is to protect the country and its citizens at the risk of your own lives. Wearing a police uniform implies not only fulfilling the assigned duty, but also realizing the great responsibility of being on guard of the country's security, protecting human rights and enforcing law and order. Police officers, firefighters, border guards - everyone who ensures protection of the state for 24 hours a day, needs decent work conditions. Raising a hand against a police officer is the equivalent to attacking the state institutions. Everyone should understand the importance of the role of a police officer when it comes to building a state "- noted Kakha Kaladze.
