King directs government to merge civil defence, gendarmerie directorates into Public Security Directorate

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah directed the government to proceed immediately with merging the Civil Defence and the Gendarmerie departments into the Public Security Department (PSD).

In the letter to Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on Monday, the King directed the government to take the necessary legislative and administrative measures for the merger, in a manner that ensures enhanced security coordination, improves the quality of services provided to the public, and mitigates the burden on the general budget, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty also issued directives to appoint a director that oversees the merger successfully and ensures it proceeds smoothly and effectively, to make the new directorate a successful example of merging public institutions, the statement said.

 The King expressed pride in the personnel of the three departments, commending their service and sacrifice for the nation over the past decades.

His Majesty also expressed confidence that, after the merger is complete, security, civil defence, and gendarmerie personnel will continue working honourably to undertake their duties in upholding the rule of law, safeguarding security, and providing quality services to the public, according to the statement.

A Royal Decree was issued on Monday approving a Cabinet decision to appoint Maj. Gen. Hussein Hawatmeh as director general of the PSD as of December 16, 2019.

In a letter to Hawatmeh, His Majesty commended his distinguished service, underscoring pride and trust in all PSD personnel.

King Abdullah expressed confidence in Hawatmeh’s ability to implement the merger of the General Directorate of the Gendarmerie and the Civil Defence Directorate into the PSD.

His Majesty received a letter from Hawatmeh in which he expressed gratitude for the confidence the King placed in him, noting that  necessary restructuring and modernisation will be executed to implement the merger, with the goal of positively impacting citizens’ lives, and ensuring professionalism and better security coordination.

Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers discussed the Royal letter in which His Majesty directed the government to immediately proceed with merging the gendarmerie and civil defence departments into the PSD, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Prime Minister Omar Razzaz stressed the government’s commitment to implement the Royal directives in a way that realises the King’s objectives to guaranteeing professional security coordination, improving services presented to citizens and saving money from the general budget. 

Razzaz directed the interior minister and head of the Legislation and Opinion Bureau to embark on implementing legislative and administrative procedures to complete the merger. 

The Cabinet also decided to refer PSD Director general Maj. Gen. Fadel Hmoud and Civil Defence Department director general Maj. Gen. Mustafa Bazaiah to retirement. 

In the letter, the King also paid tribute to the distinguished service of Maj. Gen. Fadel Hamoud and Maj. Gen. Mustafa Bazaiah.