THE POLICE ON GUARD OF LAW AND SECURITY

25.02.2015

Azerbaijani police is a symbol of courage, bravery and warlike spirit of our independent state. With the love and respect that we treat the state attributes - the flag, the anthem, the national army and so forth, the same attitude should be exercised toward our police, who with pride and honor carry the state attributes of our country on their uniforms. This attitude is the duty of every citizen.

While enjoying the benefits of stable socio-political environment of Azerbaijan, which can cause envy even of those from the most developed countries of the world, sometimes we may feel that this stability has always existed. It is very difficult to convince the youth, especially those who were born after 1993, of what happened in our society 21 years ago. The reason probably lies in the fact that we ourselves have forgotten those difficult years when it was dangerous to go out, because of armed clashes, where chaotic mindset, riots, crime reigned in the society. We seldom remember those years of nightmares.

We should be grateful to our national leader Heydar Aliyev and his son, President Ilham Aliyev, who successfully continues the political course taken by his father. The father, who with his firm political principles brought order into our society, eliminated unrests, ensured socio-political stability at such a level that those bitter realities in which we lived are long in the past and are no longer associated with reality. We should also not forget the work of law enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan, including the police, who for many years are performing with honor the duties imposed on them by the government. Fulfillment of any obligations in any area in a dignified manner, the achievement of these goals depends on the responsible attitude of those who are entrusted with these obligations.

On April the 29th 1994, at a special meeting held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the national leader Heydar Aliyev, who was presiding at the meeting and was making certain changes to the administration of the structure of this institution, said the following: “I, as a president, fully believe, trust and rely on the staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I believe that the majority of employees, workers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are people loyal to their people, their land, their motherland, modern state of Azerbaijan. They are professionals, experienced workers. All of them must try hard to fulfill the obligations of the Ministry. I appeal to all the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and encourage them to build their work basing it solely on the position of the state and its principles. As for me, I will do my best to make it all come true in the agencies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs”.

The years that have passed since then have shown that the national leader was not mistaken in his decision and his trust in the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its staff was justified.  This is confirmed by the statistics of cases that have been carried out under the supervision of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Colonel-General Ramil Usubov. Under his leadership, the Azerbaijani police have done a lot in the fight against crime, the establishment of public order and security. Today, among the CIS countries and Europe, Azerbaijan has excellent performance in the fight against crime and in the control of the state of criminogenic society. In the Republic during the last 20 years the ratio of crimes to population was on average 221 crimes to 100 000 citizens, which is significantly low compared to most countries in the world. Over this period, the average annual disclosure of crime has been 90 percent. Among the registered malpractices, 90 percent falls on account of misconduct, which do not carry a serious danger to the public (through targeted, preventive measures), and only 10 percent were serious and very serious crimes. As a result of search operations conducted over the years, more than 24 thousand criminal gangs were neutralized. More than 35 000 firearms illegally held by the citizens were withdrawn. Over the past 20 years the number of crimes committed by these weapons has been reduced by 6.2 times. More than 84 thousand of wanted criminals were caught and about 6 tons of drugs were seized from illegal trafficking. In comparison with 1994 in 2013, hijacking of vehicles decreased by 7.6 times, the number of murders by 2.3 times, robbery and theft by 2 times.

Positive statistics are evident at the end of 2014 also. Last year, the detection of crime was more than 80 percent. Disclosure of crimes of the past years has increased by 46.5 percent, disclosure of particularly serious crimes by 69.5, the result of tracing the perpetrators by 6.5, the removal of drugs from illicit trafficking by 9, the prevention of importation of smuggled drugs into the country has increased by 16, activities preventing human trafficking by 21, compensation for material damage have increased by 5 percent. In general the results are good in all directions. As a result of search operations 845 criminal groups were neutralized, whose 2,212 members, have committed 1893 cases of offence and 638 cases of serious and very serious crimes. In the country the number of registered vehicles increased by 62 thousand 863 and at the moment the total number of vehicles is 1,308 540. Nevertheless, the number of accidents, deaths and damages has much decreased. More than 300 citizens were received by the administration of the Ministry in the capital, and in 9 regions of the country 1415 people were received, most of the issues raised have been resolved on the spot. Last year, the number of complaints addressed to the Ministry declined by 7 percent.
These are not just statistical numbers. For each and every digit stands labor, sleepless nights, courage, and bravery of Azerbaijani police. On their way to meet armed criminals many of them came face to face with danger of death, unfortunately in some cases, several police officers lost their lives or were seriously injured and lost their health. Over the past 20 years in the fight against criminals nearly 100 police were killed and about 2,300 were injured.

Azerbaijani police has also been at the forefront in the battles for territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country. During the battles 1695 employees and military workers of the agencies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have died the death of martyrs, 1710 have been injured. For bravery and valor 68 people were awarded the title of “National Hero of Azerbaijan". Today Azerbaijani police protects the independence of the country, fighting back the dangers that threaten the national interests.

Socio-economic achievements of the Azerbaijan state, the important results obtained in the field of democratic development are the result of social and political stability reigning in our society.

This development, this ascent is closely related to the decent service, professionalism and courage of Azerbaijani police officers who over the years are standing on guard of public order. Therefore, it is absolutely no surprise that those who dislike the development of our country, those dark forces who are trying to shake our independence, from time to time choose the police, one of the main pillars of the independent state as their target. These people blacken the reputation of Azerbaijan abroad, at home discredit the police, trying to create an aggression in the society against law-enforcement bodies. The reason is that at different times, in 1994, 1995, 2003 and 2005 their attempts to encroach on state supported by the anti-Azerbaijan network have been prevented by human rights agencies and firm stand of Azerbaijani police! Azerbaijani police did not allow them to implement their heinous intentions! Along with other relevant governmental structures, namely the bodies of internal affairs prevented attempts to drag our country into chaos again.
President Ilham Aliyev gave the most correct assessment of the brave police activity of those years, when he said: “I remember that in 2005 some forces attempted to commit "orange revolution" in Azerbaijan, but this attempt was prevented by the decisive actions of the police. At that time there was a strong pressure from different sides to condemn the actions of the police authorities, to punish them as if they exceeded their powers. Conditions were put before us. I said it then and I am saying it now that not a single member of the police will be punished. 

They are the guardians of the law, providing the order. Risking their lives, they ensure the safety of the Azerbaijani state. I want to say that the police authorities carried out all their actions in the framework of the law, and will give an adequate response to all illegal actions. Let no one doubt, if someone wants to test our strength once more, he will receive the deserved response.”


THE POLICE ON GUARD OF LAW AND SECURITY