Georgia celebrates Police Day
By Khatia Bzhalava
Tuesday, June 1
Georgia marked Police Day on May 31. Georgian high-rank officials congratulated policemen on the day, praising their efforts to ensure public safety. The solemn event dedicated to the professional day of the police was held in front of the administrative building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tbilisi. The event was attended by President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, members of the government, and parliament, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia.
Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri congratulated police officers and stressed that Georgian police are ‘apolitical’ and ‘citizen-oriented. During his speech, Gomelauri underscored that the effectiveness of the police during the pandemic “has been of great importance for the protection of public order, human health and life.”
On behalf of Georgian police, the Interior Minister expressed gratitude to the international partners for their contribution to the capacity building of the Ministry. Gomelauri noted that for the successful implementation of visa-free travel with the EU, the cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency has been enhanced. He also underscored that according to the resolution of the European Parliament, the activities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia in terms of fighting against crime and human rights protection were positively assessed. As Gomelauri said, the support from Georgia's strategic partners, the European Union and the United States, is essential in the ongoing reform process at the Ministry.
As PM Irakli Garibashvili stated at the event, “Certain anti-state forces are constantly trying to discredit the police and police officers, which is absolutely unacceptable,” adding that “the state will not tolerate any such attempt.” The PM claims the Georgian police force is a politically neutral institution.
Noting that many policemen have sacrificed their lives to this heroic job, Garibashvili expressed his gratitude to the deceased police officers and their families.
President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili awarded three female police officers with Medals of Honor at the Solemn event. The Award was handed over to Eka Butskiridze, Ani Natsarashvili and Gvantsa Gogava, police officers involved in combating domestic violence against women and children.
