Armenia to have Police Guard service

At Thursday's Cabinet meeting, the Armenian government approved the new bill on police guards.

This proposed law defines the status, structure, tasks, and functions of a Police Guard service in Armenia, the rights and responsibilities of the police guard officers, including the cases, grounds, and conditions for the use of force by them, as well as the specifics of preparation and training of the police guard officers.

"The Police Guard will operate exclusively under civil administration and parliamentary oversight," reads the explanation of this decision.

The Police Guard will be a unit of the Police of Armenia—and with its respective divisions.

Also, the Police Guard will have territorial units in at least three provinces—Lori, Shirak, and Syunik—which will also serve adjacent provinces if necessary, as well as national security and protection units—in the capital Yerevan and provinces—for persons involved in criminal proceedings.