There Have Been Times When I Was Disappointed and Didn't Want to Continue Working: Osipyan

The Chief of Police of Armenia, Valery Osipyan, shared his fondness for military training classes during his school years, highlighting his love for shooting and proficiency in the skill. In an interview with Aravot.am, he stated, "I was the top student in that subject in class; I excelled in shooting with a rifle and was recognized as the best rifle shooter in the republic. I had an affinity for the uniform, was disciplined since school, and after being discharged from the army, I did not want to part ways with the military. I expressed my desire to serve in the army to my superiors, and they sent me to a sergeant school. Completing the school with high marks, I continued my service in Germany, and later in 1990, our unit was dissolved, and we were discharged to Ukraine… I returned to Armenia."

Below is an excerpt from his conversation with the media.

– How did you find a job back then in the 90s? Was it not through acquaintances or recommendations? Did you have any support?

– No, initially, no. My father called the head of the police department in Nubarashen, as a contact, and said that my son wanted to work in the militia. He only directed us to apply to the Orjonikidze department (now the police department of the Erebuni administrative district), to a certain official who was the deputy in charge of staff. I applied, presented my background, already having a personal file since I was a former soldier, they reviewed it and immediately accepted my application, and I started working right away.

– It is noticeable that there have been frequent promotions in your career, moving to a new and higher position in a short time. Was this based on your aspirations, or did you have sponsors?

– There is a small period that has been lengthy… it has been the result of my dedicated work. Not only within the system but in various fields without any backing of acquaintances or relatives, the leadership appreciated my diligent work.

– Has there ever been a situation where you were exhausted, disappointed, and wanted to leave the system?

– Yes, many times, always. You know what has kept me from leaving? The work of a police officer is such that if you love this work, care deeply, and are wholly dedicated to it, it is so hard to walk away. Due to various circumstances, there have indeed been times when I was disappointed and didn't want to continue working, but loving my work and regretting those years I wore the epaulet, I found the strength within me to carry on.

– Can you recall an order, instruction, or decision during your service that you regret?

– No. In internal circles, yes, I mean as a squad or platoon commander when I held those positions, but there haven’t been such cases as a battalion commander or in higher positions.

– Have you been offered a bribe?

– Yes, I have refused.

– What gifts do they bring to your office?

– We do not allow gifts to be brought.

– You are known for your patience; where does that patience come from?

– I wasn’t like this; I haven’t always been this way, I have worked on myself. The experience exchange with Dutch police has positively impacted me in this regard. In the Netherlands, we witnessed a case where a black offender was abusing a police officer verbally, behaving very poorly, and the Dutch officer patiently endured it for 15 minutes before arresting the offender and taking him away.

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