Dear police employees and veterans!

I would like to congratulate you on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijani police. This is a milestone occasion not only for the internal affairs bodies of our country, but also for the entire independent state of Azerbaijan.

On July 2, 1918, the first police bodies were established by the decision of the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which laid the foundation of Azerbaijani police.

After being elected as the head of the republic in 1969, national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev paid a particular attention to training and raising employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the patriotic spirit and developing their professionalism.

The destructive processes taking place in our republic, which regained its independence in 1991, government crisis and the uncontrollable situation had a negative impact on police bodies, which are one of the main pillars of the statehood. Crimes sharply increased and criminogenic situation in the country got out of control. It was national leader Heydar Aliyev's returning to Azerbaijan's political leadership by popular demand on June 15, 1993, that saved our statehood from an abyss. National leader Heydar Aliyev`s leadership ensured public and political stability in the country and marked a turning point in the activities of the internal affairs bodies, whose ranks were joined by the personnel loyal to the state and the nation.

Heydar Aliyev’s policy is today being successfully continued. A powerful state was built on the foundations laid by the national leader. Political stability and peace reign in Azerbaijan, the rule of law is ensured and human rights are fairly protected in the country.

At present, the Azerbaijani police are an important public institution, which has strong discipline and high professionalism, which is provided with up-to-date financial resources and infrastructure, and which has rendered outstanding services towards the protection of the country's statehood.

Comprehensive measures are regularly taken in order to improve the social protection of employees of the internal affairs bodies and this state care will be continued. Azerbaijani police, in turn, should advance their activities in line with modern requirements, demonstrating greater determination and resoluteness in combating crime.

I am confident that the internal affairs personnel will continue honorably fulfilling their duties.

Once again I congratulate you on the occasion of the remarkable centenary and wish you further success in your important activities to the benefit of our state and society.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 29 June, 2018