Khatia Dekanoidze, the head of Ukraine's National Police, said on Monday she is resigning.

"As I promised, I created a foundation for the development of a new national police in the course of one year. I stayed loyal to you and your interests until the last minute of my work. But unfortunately, my powers and will were not sufficient for sharp changes. I've done my duty, and therefore I announce my resignation," Dekanoidze told reporters in Kyiv on Monday.

Dekanoidze said she believes an open contest for the post of the new head of the National Police should be conducted as soon as possible.

She also said she does not see Vadym Troyan, first deputy head of the National Police, as new head of Ukraine's National Police as he is not politically independent. "I believe the new head of the National Police should be elected via a contest," Dekanoidze said.

Dekanoidze said she was faced with politicians' attempts to interfere in the work of the police several times over the year that she has worked in this position. However, she did not mention any specific situations and did not give any politicians' names. Dekanoidze only said this is unacceptable.

Khatia Dekanoidze began working in the team of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and headed up the administration of the Georgian Security Council at the age of 24. She later became Georgia's education minister and she was also head of a police academy.

In Ukraine, she initially worked as adviser to Interior Minister Arsen Avakov. She was appointed head of Ukraine's National Police on November 4, 2015.

Rumors about Dekanoidze's resignation began after Deputy Interior Minister Eka Zguladze left the Interior Ministry in May 2016.

Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov later thanked Dekanoidze for her work and said Vadim Troyan would fulfill the duties of the head of Ukraine's National Police.

Vadym Troyan is first deputy head of Ukraine's National Police.