Yerevan will no longer have “traffic police” – Armenian Police Chief

The term "traffic police" will cease to exist in a foreseeable future, at least in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, Police Chief Vladimir Gasparyan stated Thursday, News.am reported.

"Soon we will cover the entire city with visual radars. They will become patrol services [i.e., traffic police], which primarily will be carried out at courtyards, since there are house burglaries," Gasparyan noted.

But he also added that the precinct police will continue to carry out their duties.

This program is expected to be fully installed no later than 2013, but, as Vladimir Gasparyan informed, these reforms will conclude in Yerevan within the first six months of this year. Now there is a special brigade which is undergoing patrolling courses. The officers have knowledge of psychology and foreign languages, and they can administer first aid. Armenia's Police Chief also promised that the entire patrol guard regiment will be endowed with these skills by Spring 2013.