In a written statement released by the presidential press office, Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote: “I am celebrating the 173rd anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Police Department, which is the guarantee of the security and peace of our nation."

"Even though our police department has been subjected to destruction in certain periods, it has always managed to remain a source of peace and trust for our nation in every crisis period that we have gone through during the Republican era," he said. 

Erdogan hailed the Turkish Police Department for all its successes so far, saying that it has had “major achievements” with its knowledge coming from the experience of 173 years.

Turkey will continue to feel proud of the “selflessness and heroism” that its police department has so far displayed in order to ensure that people live in peace and security, he added.