YEREVAN. – Today's police are not adequate to the current situation. Armen Khachatryan, a member of the majority My Step faction in the National Assembly of Armenia, said this in a conversation with journalists today.

"Because the police do not have the tools and powers they need to solve the tasks they are tasked with," he explained. “This strategy [they are introducing] is a pretty good document, a great deal of work has been done, and with the steps taken towards this strategy, the police will come to a situation where it will be parallel to crime (...). The police should have the power to conduct an investigation."

Journalists inquired whether these changes could be achieved within a year, in response to which the MP said that the drafted document was based on very serious analyzes.

"It is envisaged to fully implement over the course of 2020 to 2022,” he said. "The short period will see to it that the steps be very effective."

According to him, the need to become Ministry of Internal Affairs is conditioned by the intention to make parliamentary and civil oversight more effective.

He also said that it is envisaged that the Chief of Police will be appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the Minister of Internal Affairs, but the Chief of Police will have some independence.

Speaking about the police personnel, Khachatryan said: "University graduate new personnel will also be admitted, (...), after which they will take appropriate courses at the police education complex."

According to Khachatryan, the social guarantees—including salaries—within the police system will also increase.

The MP also emphasized language skills, good looks, and physical ability for the members of the police system of Armenia.