Law enforcement in Adjara

Law enforcement in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, an autonomous republic of Georgia, is the responsibility of the Adjara Regional Police, who are headquartered in the capital of Batumi in new premises opened by the President Mikheil Saakashvili. [Government of Autonomous Republic of Adjara Official Site [http://www.adjara.gov.ge/eng/index.php?monthno=6&page=news&year=2006 News and Events] retrieved May 31 2007] They are responsible for policing a population of around 370,000 [376,01 according to the 2002 Census] over an area of 2,900 km².

Organization

The Adjara Regional Police is made up of a number of different task forces, including traffic police, patrol police [Government of Autonomous Republic of Adjara Official Site [http://www.adjara.gov.ge/eng/index.php?page=show&id=344 "Patrol Police's One Year Anniversary"] retrieved May 31 2007] and a Special Unit. The six districts of Adjara each have their own local police divisions:

#City of Batumi
#District of Keda
#District of Kobuleti
#District of Khelvachauri
#District of Shuakhevi
#District of Khulo

Adjara is only the 5th region in Georgia to be outfitted with a patrol police operator 002 to coordinate police communications, which is done from the capital Batumi. [Government of Autonomous Republic of Adjara Official Site [http://www.adjara.gov.ge/eng/index.php?page=show&id=116 "Patrol Police Operator 002 Is Launched in Batum"] retrieved May 31 2007]

Reform and international involvement

On June 10 2005, the European Commission, Regional Center of Human Rights Protection, and Association ALPE unveiled a new initiative known as "Improved Law-enforcement system and rights-protected citizens" designed to improve the policing and courts systems in Adjara. [United Nations Association of Georgia [www.civil.ge/vii_issue_eng.pdf "Civil Society – Spotlight on Adjara"] retrieved May 31 2007] Of the Adjara Regional Police, the president stated at the opening of the new headquarters on 24 June 2006: "Two years ago when we together brought freedom to Adjara it was just unreal to believe such incredible changes. The fact is that we together have managed to form the most effective, well-equipped, and motivated police in Europe! We shall begin preparations for tourist season all over Georgia. We believe to keep peace and stability especially here, in Adjara as we expect more tourists than ever". [Government of Autonomous Republic of Adjara Official Site [http://www.adjara.gov.ge/eng/index.php?page=show&id=550 "New Regional Police Premise In Adjara"] retrieved May 31 2007] The Adjara Regional Police are involved in a number of cross border training schemes, particularly with neighboring Turkey [Government of Autonomous Republic of Adjara Official Site [http://www.adjara.gov.ge/eng/index.php?page=show&id=674 "Joint Military Training at Sarpi Border Completed"] retrieved May 31 2007]

OSCE has also undertaken to set up five-day training programs in counter-terrorism for Adjara law enforcement officers as part of the OSCE Mission to Georgia. [OSCE Mission to Georgia [http://www.osce.org/georgia/item_1_24633.html "OSCE Mission organizes counter-terrorism training for Adjara law enforcement officers"] retrieved May 31 2007] The OSCE's mission to reduce human trafficking in Georgia also involved the law enforcement agencies of Adjara in "a pilot project in the region of Ajara to strengthen co-operation between the local authorities and NGOs in identifying and referring victims of trafficking." [OSCE Mission to Georgia [http://www.osce.org/georgia/16282.html "Anti-trafficking"] retrieved May 31 2007] Further reforms were promised by President Mikheil Saakashvili at the one year anniversary of the Batumi Patrol Police: "It is not essential that you are wearing a new uniform, and driving new vehicles, and earning higher salaries, but the most important is the fact that ninety per cent of our population positively estimates the patrol police. That is a physiological and cultural revolution! We shall care and keep honoured the reputation. We will do more, rise salaries for 10 per cent, add more new vehicles, reconstruct and decorate police premises. But, it is prior that you should stand at the top". [Government of Autonomous Republic of Adjara Official Site [http://www.adjara.gov.ge/eng/index.php?page=show&id=344 "Patrol Police's One Year Anniversary"] retrieved May 31 2007] Along with 300 promotions and 1000 honourable diplomas, the police department awarded cars as gifts to four officers, including the head of the Batumi Patrol Police John Bakuridze, and two officers were each given two room flats. [Government of Autonomous Republic of Adjara Official Site [http://www.adjara.gov.ge/eng/index.php?page=show&id=344 "Patrol Police's One Year Anniversary"] retrieved May 31 2007]

Notes