MINSK, 30 December (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko is visiting the special police force of the Minsk city police department, BelTA learned.
The president is scheduled to present state awards to representatives of law enforcement agencies and the military, to get familiar with the equipment, special means and living quarters of the rapid response teams.
The first special police force in Belarus - Minsk riot police - was formed in November 1988. Later, similar units were set up in all regional centers of the country.
The main tasks of the Minsk riot police are to provide law-enforcement support to special operations to detain persons who have committed or are suspected of committing grave and especially grave crimes, to maintain security during public events, emergency situations of criminal, natural and man-made nature, suppress mass violations of public order and riots. The riot police may also be used in counter-terrorist operations, emergency response to hostage-taking incidents, hijacking, and seizure of buildings.
