Today marks the 103rd anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijani Police. By a decree signed by national leader Heydar Aliyev in 1998, July 2 was declared Azerbaijan Police Day.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and its organizational structure, the police, played an important role in defending the national interests of our first independent state with great patriotism during the period of 1918-1920. gained results and rich experience. In particular, the 1970s and 1980s, when the country achieved great success in economic, social and other spheres under the leadership of great leader Heydar Aliyev, became the most important period in the history of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
During this period, the National Leader with great foresight made important decisions on the organizational and ideological strengthening of law enforcement agencies, the purification of their ranks, the promotion of professional personnel. It was the result of the formation of personnel in the national spirit that in 1988, the regular force, which bravely repulsed the military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan in 1988, became the militia, and in subsequent years became part of the Internal Troops. In these battles, 1695 police officers and servicemen were martyred, and 1710 people were wounded. 67 people were awarded the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan, 1143 people were awarded orders and medals for their bravery and courage.
In the following years of our independence, the activity of the internal affairs bodies was also successful. Thus, 99 police officers and servicemen were killed and 2,640 were injured in the fight against crime, public order and public safety.
With the election of President Ilham Aliyev as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in October 2003, our country entered a new stage of development, and stability became a symbol of our independent state moving forward with confidence towards future success and prosperity. All necessary measures have been taken to modernize the internal affairs bodies as part of the comprehensive reforms implemented by the President. Over the past 15 years, various decrees and orders have been signed in order to fully meet the interests of society and build in accordance with international best practices. In particular, important measures have been taken on the basis of the State Program adopted in 2004 at the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan to improve the structure and regulatory framework of the ministry, improve logistics, strengthen social protection of personnel and the role of the police in a democratic society. .
The Azerbaijani Police is a single centralized law enforcement body with a strong material and technical base, a well-organized system for the protection of public order, law and order, and a professional staff. This development and modernization, which continues thanks to the attention and care of President Ilham Aliyev, allows us to reliably protect the rights and interests of our citizens protected by law, to take adequate response measures in the fight against crime and its transnational organized forms.
Today, thanks to the attention and care of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the constantly developing law enforcement agencies are distinguished in the country for their important services in the fight against crime, its transnational forms, ensuring law and order and security. At the same time, it performs its functions professionally in the field of protection of the legitimate interests, rights and freedoms of citizens, and always justifies the trust and confidence placed in it by remaining faithful to its duties. The decisions made by President Ilham Aliyev on the eve of this professional holiday to strengthen the social protection of personnel and to award state awards to a group of distinguished employees are a clear confirmation of the high value given to the hard work of each police officer. On the eve of this professional holiday, by the orders of the President, one person was awarded the highest special rank of Major General of Police, and one person was awarded the honorary title of Honored Doctor. In addition, 1 person was awarded the "Azerbaijan Flag" order, 21 people were awarded the "For the Fatherland" and 3 people were awarded the "For Courage" medals for their excellence in the fight against crime, protection of public order, ensuring public safety during public events of international importance and performance of special tasks. was awarded with.
The law enforcement agencies, which always uphold national interests, will continue to make a worthy contribution to the important measures taken by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev for the sustainable development of our country.