The president stated that Egypt appreciates the sacrifices of the police and its role in implementoing law and order, adding that the police is fighting against extremism and “evil” with the help of the Armed Forces.
“I requested authorization to fight possible violence and terrorism in July [2013], you thought it would be easy. But you have seen the numbers of the martyrs who have fallen,” he said.
Sisi insisted that families of martyred police personnel stand on stage next to him during his speech, in order to "show Egyptians the people who paid the price for the sake of our country.” He also cried when a father of a police victim was addressing the crowd.
During his speech, families urged Sisi to speed up trials of those allegedly implicated in the murder their relatives, and Sisi affirmed that he would not let their sons' deaths be in vain.
Sisi also addressed Parliament’s rejection of the civil service law, describing the law as an attempt to reform the country, which the president stated was not an easy task. “Before giving your final word, study the [law] carefully,” he said, addressing parliamentarians.
“I asked three questions before: How much does Egypt benefit from seven million employees? Will any of the salaries be reduced? Will the bonuses be reduced?” Sisi said. “Why don’t we make some concessions for [Egypt’s] sake?”
The president also urged citizens to "take care of the country" and not let it fall, perhaps addressing those planning protests on the anniversary of the 2011 uprising.
The speech came after two major attacks on police forces in Sinai and Giza. On Thursday, a bomb blast in the Giza district of Haram left at least six people dead, including three police officers. The Islamic State's Egypt affiliate, the Province of Sinai, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Eight police personnel were also killed in an armed attack on a checkpoint in North Sinai, which the Province of Sinai claimed responsibility for as well.
Sisi’s speech also comes amid an unprecedented security crackdown ahead of the anniversary, in which police forces raided around 5,000 apartments in downtown Cairo in the last week alone, inspecting mobile phones, laptops and personal belongings of residents.
Police raids have also extended to various downtown cultural spaces, including the nonprofit Townhouse Gallery and adjacent Rawabet Theater, which were shut down in December, as well as independent performing arts space Studio Emad Eddin and Merit Publishing House, which were both inspected by authorities.
The security campaign has also targeted hundreds of political activists who have been rounded up from their homes and accused of belonging to terrorist organizations and inciting protests.
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http://www.madamasr.com/news/sisi-addresses-nation-police-academy-ahead-revolution-anniversary