Unified system for evaluating professional performance of police  officers to be introduced in Armenia

ArmInfo.  A unified system for evaluating the professional performance of police officers will be introduced in Armenia. At its plenary session on April 14, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia discussed amendments to  the Law "On Police Service" and a package of related laws submitted  by the Armenian government for the first reading.

Introducing the amendments, RA Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine  Sargsyan noted that the document represents another important step  toward reforming law enforcement. The package envisages the  introduction of a unified system for evaluating police officers'  performance. This system will be applied annually based on objective  and measurable indicators. According to Arpine Sargsyan, the proposed  initiative will allow for a more rapid assessment of the quality and  effectiveness of police officers, promptly respond to existing  problems, and facilitate the continuous and periodic improvement of  knowledge, skills, and abilities based on target needs identified  through professional performance assessments. Furthermore, police  officer certification will be linked to the professional performance  assessment system, ensuring the continued competitiveness of  officers.

It is expected that the adoption of the draft laws will result in the  introduction of a more objective and effective system for assessing  the effectiveness and quality of police officers. This, on the one  hand, will entail continuous monitoring of the effectiveness and  quality of police officers' work, which will inform decisions based  on the assessment results, and, on the other hand, will allow for the  rapid identification of their educational needs and, based on these  needs, the targeted development and improvement of knowledge, skills,  and abilities through revised professional development programs.

The Minister noted that the new assessment system will operate in  parallel with the police certification system. Based on its  implementation, it will be clear whether to continue the  certification system or abandon it.