MINSK, 30 December (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the Riot Police Division of the Minsk City Police Department on 30 December and was presented a black beret in recognition of his special merits, BelTA has learned.
Top-ranking officers of the Riot Police Division had decided to present this token of the highest distinction of riot police officers to the head of state. Police officers have to pass through arduous physical tests in order to get a black beret.
Aleksandr Lukashenko made a joke by saying it was unlikely he would pass the necessary physical tests to get the right to wear the black beret. But Chief of the Riot Police Division of the Minsk City Police Department Dmitry Balaba explained that the black beret had been presented to the president in recognition of his special merits. The decision is stipulated by the relevant paperwork. “You've stood together with us in combat ranks. You are now a genuine riot police officer,” Dmitry Balaba said.
BelTA reported earlier that on 30 December Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko bestowed state awards upon law enforcement personnel and military personnel. The award ceremony took place in the Riot Police Division of the Minsk City Police Department.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I want you to understand my point of view. It has not changed: it is our duty to preserve the country for the sake of the current generation and future ones. Time has chosen us. And we will preserve the country whatever the cost. We will preserve it for all of us, for our children and grandchildren. It is the key task for me and for you. A historic mission if you like. I say it honestly and openly to you and may they [opponents of the current government] hear it: if uniformed personnel were not worth their salt as they say, if you had faltered back in August, we would live in a totally different country today. And I doubt we would live at all, I doubt this country would exist… They say that great things look right from afar. A bit more time will pass and those, who fail to understand and stand against us in clean Minsk streets, will see what you've accomplished this year.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko also visited the riot police barracks where he was made familiar with various loadouts available to law enforcement personnel and with the accommodations available to rapid response personnel.
