Georgia celebrates Police Officer Day

Georgian police officers are being recognised for their dedication to their country in a special day.

Georgian officials paid tribute to hundreds of police officers around the country today in a special ceremony to mark Police Officer Day.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs hosted the official celebration, which was held on the waterfront near Alphabet Tower in Batumi.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili addressed the police force and congratulated each and every police officer in Georgia, and the Ministry for hosting the festive event.

"You are serving the most difficult and a very responsible job at the same time,” Garibashvili said to the officers.

"You serve for public order and stands as a guard for the security and life of every citizen of our country. Often you have to risk your lives to perform your duties,” he said.

The Prime Minister said today's Georgian police force were "completely depoliticized” and did not serve one political force but the whole country and every citizen.

In his speech, Garibashvili paid tribute to the police officers who had died in the line of duty and asked for a minute of silence in their honor.

The PM said it was a great responsibility and he was very honoured to be the country’s former Minister of Internal Affairs.

"Each day spent in this system has given me enormous experience and knowledge, as well as a different energy. Here is an absolutely different spirit. Here I experience happiness, which is called a love of your country, serving your homeland.

"Exactly here you can fully express your loyalty and patriotism. Here you can show how faithful you are to the country,” Garibashvili said.

Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Chikaidze also spoke at the ceremony and congratulated the country’s police officers.

"We, the employees of the Ministry, are all eager to serve as a guarantee of our citizens’ and our country’s security. I am confident that all honourable officers will spare their life for the benefit of their country and there are many examples of this,” he said.

After his speech, Chikaidze personally congratulated current police officers and veterans.

Today’s event was attended by honoured and invited guests, including Government members, Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili, representatives of diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia and official delegations from partner countries.

After the official part of the ceremony ended, Garibashvili and Chikaidze visited an exhibition space where police techniques, tools and equipment were presented.

A number of informal activities will be held throughout the day in Batumi, which will end with a performance by a band named ‘Newton’ this evening.