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Chief of Main Security Department of Azerbaijani Interior Ministry Medet Guliyev: Staff reductions are being made in the Main Security Department - INTERVIEW

20 September 2010 12:24 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Hafiz Heydarov â€“ APA. APAâ€™s interview with chief of the Main Security Department of Azerbaijani Interior Ministry, Major-General Medet Guliyev

-The new academic year has started. Has the Main Security Department received appeals for ensuring the security of educational establishments?

- The Main Security Department of the Interior Ministry has received 34 appeals up to now. Of course, all of these appeals have been ensured. 34 educational establishments are being guarded by the armed officers of the Main Security Department. On the occasion of the new academic year, Interior Minister Ramil Usubov has given special instructions in connection with the security of schools. Both Main Security Department and other bodies subordinated to the ministry are fulfilling these instructions. I think, higher and secondary schools, academies in the republic must be guarded. For this each ofthese educational establishments must appeal to the Main Security Department. We ensure their security basing on these appeals.

- How do you ensure the security of the educational establishments?

-The Main Security Department is guarding every facility perfectly. We have got large opportunities. We involve our professional officers to the process of guarding. The most modern equipment is used to guard these establishments. Special devices have been installed in the guarded facilities, if there is any fact causing anxiety, our officers take this facility under control. Security cameras are used in guarding educational establishments, it makes our work easier.

-It is undeniable that there are some financial problems concerning the security of the educational establishmentsâ€¦

-Yes, there are some problems. The Main Security Department is the only self-financing department of the ministry. If we involve any officer to guard a facility, we meet his needs ourselves. Therefore, the entire process is based on contract. The facility, which is to be guarded, must pay to the Main Security Department basing on the contract. The amount of money depends on the number of the policemen and hour of service. The money is spent on the officersâ€™ salaries and taxes.

-The government allocates funds for guarding the educational establishments. The Ministry of Education says this money is spent on the watchmen of schools. Canâ€™t this money be spent to ensure the security of the educational establishments?

-I agree with you. These watchmen are civilians and have not attended even a course, they are not prepared. They do not have skills to react to the dangerous situation. They have limited opportunities to contact the police in case of dangerous situation. An unarmed person can not guard an educational establishment.

-Are there private schools among the guarded educational establishments?

-Yes, there are, but very few. Most of the guarded educational establishments are state-run institutions.

-How is Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, where a bloody incident happened, being guarded?

-The State Oil Academy is being guarded perfectly.

-Are there educational establishments that fail to pay the money, but the Main Security Department gives positive answer to their appeals?

-Yes, there are. There are schools that appeal to us, but say they do not have funds. In this case we offer assistance to such establishments. But it is impossible to fully ensure the security. Necessary money must be paid. This is unambiguously important.

-How many private security services are there in Azerbaijan?

-There are 25 private security services in Azerbaijan. Each of them is competing with us. This is a healthy competition. But they do not have large opportunities. The Main Security Department is the only security department that sends armed officers to the guarded facilities. Private security services do not have such opportunities. Both state-run establishments, and others must pay attention to these factors.

-Are you satisfied with the activity of private security services in the country?

-I am chief of the Main Security Department of the Interior Ministry. I do not have the right to assess their activity. Main Public Security Department of the Interior Ministry controls their activity. Only they can assess the activity of the private security services. I think, there is a need for private security services in the country. But, they can not act like the Main Security Department, because we have got at least 70-year practice. I wish the private security service to reach this level.

-How many institutions have been provided with security by the Main Security Department of Interior Ministry?

- Today Main Security Department has more than 8 000 staff. We guard special state objects as well. I can say that Main Security Department guards more than 10 000 objects in the country. Most of them are state institutions.

-Are those institutions guarded on the stateâ€™s account?

- Yes. The Cabinet of Ministers has a special decision in connection with it. Each state institution that we guard pay necessary means to the bank account of the Main Security Department.

-Then why does the Ministry of Education stay out of this process?

- Nevertheless, the Ministry of Education was interested in this matter. As I know, Minister of Education Misir Mardanov said in his interview that every educational institution could organize its security. It is a very important issue. Not because a crime is expected to take place, but because each crime must be prevented, I once more say that heads of each educational institution must provide his institution with video observation. The security of educational institutions is a very significant issue.

-How much does it cost the Installation of watching cameras in the educational institutions?

- Watching cameras are installed in each object guarded by the Main Security Department. This installation costs 2 000 AZN.

-How much does it cost the organization of security of the school?

- There are such objects that guarded by 4 people. The security of such objects needs 3000-3500 AZN. But the security of educational institutions needs about 700-800 AZN.

-Were there any armed attacks to the objects guarded by the Main Security Department?

- No. There were not such cases this year. But there were some attempts to enter the objects guarded by technique. By alarm devices it was possible to prevent those attempts.

-Which crimes have been revealed this year by the Security Police? Is there increase in the number of crimes in comparison with the last years?

- The number of crimes is invariable. 5 robbery cases have been prevented and 4 people were arrested as a result of operational measures carried out by the officers of the Main Security Department. Generally, 22 crimes have been prevented and 24 people were arrested. Moreover, 7 wanted persons were detained and handed over to law-enforcement bodies. A lot of armament was handed over to related bodies. I can surely say that today criminal situation is under control in Azerbaijan. Bodies of internal affairs do their best in direction of maintaining stability and welfare in the country.

-Does the Main Security Department think about increasing the number of guards?

- The number of our police officers is decreasing within last 4 years. En face we increase the number of civil security serviceâ€™s officers. They are persons having all policing authorities. They also have weapons, they take special preparation courses of the Interior Ministry.

- What caused to replace police officers with civil guards?

- Today the number of security service is increasing. Because the number of guarded objects are increasing as well. We can not involve police officers in all objects. And that is why we enhance our staff by civil security. Today the number if civil security is more than 2 000. Azerbaijan is already one of the developed countries. We try to organize security in the country corresponding with world standards.