New 172 police patrol officers take oath in Mariupol

In Mariupol city, the Donetsk region, 172 patrol police officers have sworn allegiance to the Ukrainian people. They were chosen from among 3,500 applicants, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman made a statement during the greeting ceremony on Monday, Ukrinform reports.

"This is a very important moment in your career, because you were chosen from among 3,500 applicants. Now Mariupol is a frontline city, therefore it needs special attention and support. What do its inhabitants desire? They want peace and prosperity. Police can ensure that these requirements are met. I wish you to serve your city well," said Groysman.

He noted that some of those police officers securing order for the citizens have combat experience as service members of the antiterrorist operation.

The official ceremony of oath taking by new police force was attended by Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine Shigeki Sumi, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Jan Tombinski, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, head of the National Police Khatia Dekanoidze and governor of the Donetsk region Pavlo Zhebrivsky.

All heads of police departments who are already working in Ukraine arrived to support their colleagues in Mariupol.

Mariupol became the 28th city in Ukraine where patrol police operate.

tl