Jordan Times
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Aitan says PSD in on reform
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday
attended a ceremony to mark the 84th anniversary of the Public Security
Department (PSD).
During the event, which was held in Pella, near Irbid, PSD Director Major
General Mohammad Aitan said the police force will provide “strong support in the
process of reform, led by His Majesty.”
“We are working in line with His Majesty's vision,” Aitan said, adding that the
PSD is “preserving security and stability, while at the same time, protecting
human rights and the development process,” the Jordan News Agency, Petra,
reported.
King Abdullah presented Istihqaq Medals of the First Order to the highest
achieving officers and other officers, and gifts to retired PSD directors and
senior officers.
Prime Minister Adnan Badran, Royal Court Chief Faisal Fayez, Senate President
Zeid Rifai, Lower House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali — a former PSD director — and
Minister of Interior Awni Yarvas, in addition to Arab visitors from Oman and
Saudi Arabia, attended yesterday's ceremony.
PSD units performed a demonstration of martial art skills and live ammunition
drills.
Aitan was appointed in December, when the King told him in a letter to enhance
the performance, efficiency and capabilities of the PSD.
An outgrowth of the Arab Legion set up by King Abdullah I in 1921, the Public
Security Department was created by law in 1956, when the legion was separated
into distinct police and army elements, under the reign of the late King
Hussein.
The first Arab country to admit women to its police establishment, Jordan opened
a women's police academy in Amman in 1972.