DETAILS

Newsletter published by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Volume 2 - Edition 5 - June 2005 Kosovo Police Service School - an academy for public safety education and development The Kosovo Police Service School (KPSS) was established by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in September 1999, with an aim to create a modern democratic police force that will restore confi dence in law enforcement and effectively apply community-based policing principles. Hasan Sopa, OSCE To date, the KPSS has provided education and training for approximately 7000 police offi cers. Given that it began its work at the time when no other institution was func- tional it can easily be considered as one of the biggest successes in post-confl ict Kosovo. Without a ny doubt, it is a tribute to the OSCE’s institution building eff orts. We started from zero According to Steve Benne , who has been School Director from the outset, KPSS stared with li le more than the commitment and vision of the early members of the staff , international and national. With the time it evolved into a successful and professional educational institution. “An institution defi ned by practices, protocols, services, curriculum, and a full range of supporting activities, was needed to accomplish our mandate,” he said. It is anticipated that over 7,500 cadets will graduate from the KPSS with the end of 2005. “The OSCE, as an organization made a seri- ous commitment of resources to make the While the OSCE’s commitment and invest- IN THIS ISSUE: school a reality, including the investments in ment is signifi cant in terms of the results the school’s property to make it suitable for achieved, in Benne ’s view, it is important Community based training. This demonstrated an early recog- to recognize the individual role every KPS policing pg. 5-6 nition and commitment of the OSCE’s Per- offi cers plays. “No ma er how good your manent Council and the Mission leadership school is and how good your instructors are, to rapidly and professionally undertake our if you do not have people with basic integ- Female KPS Officers are mandate of police training and develop- rity and basic capacity, willingness and the making a difference pg. 6 ment,” he explained. desire to learn, you never get any results.” In his view this commitment and investment Crime fighting and had a positive impact on students and staff KPSS a model of professional and their performance in the programs. “I education news reporting pg. 9-10 have always been impressed with the capac- ity of the OSCE member states, the Mission Gradually, KPSS has evolved as an institu- and the Secretariat personnel, to put really tion that represents a good model for profes- Highlights from good people into the Mission’s departments. sional education and development of public the field pg. 11-12 I can proudly say that the people who have safety personnel. come to work and develop police education “In a relatively short period of time, we have are top quality professionals and visible evi- been able to develop very capable people osce dence of the strength and character of the OSCE as a regional organization.” Continues on pg. 3 1 DETAILS EDITORIAL

of police advisers in the Organization’s fi led refresher courses for police offi cers, while structure and has become a know-how hub. also helping overall development of the police forces by supplying information and The OSCE’s Senior Police Adviser and Head communications systems and the necessary of SPMU, Richard Monk, noted on number technical training. of occasions that social, political, or economic stability can not be accomplished without With all these activities, the OSCE is helping eff ective law enforcement and respect for develop democracies that will uphold rule the institutions of the rule of law. He also of law, but it is also helping boost regional added: “The OSCE alone has the necessary co-operation to fi ght organized crime. experience to tackle this head on. We have According to Mr. Monk, criminals are strong fi eld presence, the institutional already co-operating internationally and infl uence and the broad spread of states governments need to work together to stop to provide the long-term engagement them. He said that if there was one country required.” that lacked internal control and was leV His statements fi nd a strong basis in the unchecked, it could become a threat to Nikola Gaon Missions, like the Kosovo one, and the everyone in the world. “It is vital that the Public Affairs Officer, willingness of the OSCE’s Permanent Council international community should unite to OSCE Mission in Kosovo to take decisions in the times of need. tackle this modern scourge. The OSCE is keen to play its part.” Following the decision of the Permanent Council to rapidly deploy the Mission in As it stands, the OSCE will continue to Kosovo in 1999, the Organization began its increase its role in police education and police education and development activities development. Kosovo, on the other hand, immediately following the end of confl ict. can be proud to have had received so much The Mission re-established and re-furbished a ention of the OSCE and other international the Police Academy at Vushtrri/Vučitrn, now organizations that are helping develop its called the Kosovo Police Service School, and law enforcement and rule of law institutions, it put in motion a team that grew to over 260 bringing it closer to the European family. international police trainers and 290 local Dear readers, staff working to create a new democratic police force. This issue of Details is almost entirely Since 1999, close to 7000 new police offi cers dedicated to diff erent aspects of policing DETAILS graduated from the KPSS, while some Newsletter published by in Kosovo. It addresses the future of the 900 have received advanced training and the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Kosovo Police Service School, the draV Law were promoted to the range of ranks, from on Kosovo Police Service, gender ratios in Sergeant to Colonel. This startling statistics the police structure, community policing further imply that every police offi cer one OSCE HQ, 10000 Prishtinë / Priština, Kosovo and public safety concepts, as well as the Tel: +381 38 500 162, Fax: +381 38 500 188 police and the media relations. might come in contact with or see in Kosovo has received the OSCE training. E-mail: [email protected] And while many in Kosovo oV en forget that Web site: www.osce.org/kosovo it was the OSCE Mission that has trained The OSCE’s involvement in the policing issues in South-East Europe does not stop with Publisher: the post 1999 Kosovo police force, and that Sven Lindholm it is still providing both basic and advanced Kosovo. Its police training and development operations run strong in the former Managing Editor: training to the rank of Colonel, even fewer Nikola Gaon know the meaning of the abbreviation - Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYRoM), Senior Editors: OSCE. Croatia, southern Serbia, and Montenegro. In all places, the OSCE helped modernize Hasan Sopa,(Detaje) The Organization for Security and Co- and build multi-ethnic police forces that Slaviša Mladenović (Detalji) operation in Europe (OSCE) stands for the upholds respect for human rights. Common Layout & drawings: largest human rights and human security to all three operations was introduction and Shpend Kada organization in its area – from Vancouver support for the community policing concept Contributors: to Vladivostok. With 55 member states that is also being implemented in Kosovo. Edita Buçaj, Frank Harris, William Henley, from Europe, Central Asia, Caucuses, Rexhep Krasniqi, Fatime Lepaja, Nderim Pasuli, North America, and nine partners for co- To illustrate the size of police related Halide Sadiku, Mevlyde Salihu, Ardiana Sejdiu, operation, states from Middle and Far East, operation we will mention that in FYRoM; Mustafa Skenderi, Ardian Spahiu, the Organization works in human, politico- the OSCE helped train over 1,000 recruits Vasilija Stanić, security, and economic-environmental to ensure multi-ethnic police composition dimensions. It has 18 fi eld operations, and help implement the Ohrid Framework Kosovo mission being the largest. Agreement. osce Mission in Kosovo In December 2001, the member states Building on the experience from south-east declared their intention to strengthen Europe, the OSCE runs similar operations in Disclaimer: the overall Organization’s police related a number of former Soviet states: Kyrgyzstan, The views expressed and the presentation of the material published activities. The Strategic Police Ma ers Unit Armenia, Tajikistan, and Azerbaij an. In do not necessarily represent the policies, opinions or positions of (SPMU) was established at the OSCE’s co-operation with their Police Academies the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. Secretariat in Vienna. It formed a network the OSCE supports basic training and 2 DETAILS

Ambassador Werner Wnendt, the new head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General for Institution-Building has made it his priority to develop Kosovo in such a way that it can be a home for all people who want to live together, in peace with their neighbours. He acknowledges progress made thus far with the police training but does say that additional eff orts are need to further develop Kosovo Police Service as a democratic institution that upholds respect for human rights. During his visit to the Kosovo Police Service School he said: “I am pleased to see in place a police training facility that can be compared to western European ones. Joint funding from the OSCE and Kosovo’s consolidated budget makes KPSS’s eventual hand over much easier.”

Continued from pg. 1 As for the current mandate, Benne thinks KPSS and KPS to work for that the KPSS should certainly continue to and I would confi dently compare KPS to people of Kosovo develop KPS’s competencies as it did over any contemporary police agency in the the past several years – providing basic Steve Benne believes that the School and world,” Benne said. “The only thing they KPS will continue to exist in the future and lack is the years of experience, and certainly police training followed by on the job men- work for the interest of all people of Kosovo. I’m not going to diminish the value of the toring, off ering specialized courses, and experience in this kind of the job. Taking this aiding organizational development. He also “I believe the School will evolve into what into account, I think that they are compara- said: “As we move toward further transfer of Kosovans determine is the best solution for tively far ahead of what I otherwise would competencies it is expected that perhaps as public safety education and development. have expected when we started.” early as the fall of 2005 there will be prog- Over the last fi ve plus years, the School has ress on the development of Ministries which been providing services to several key disci- would eventually be capable of assuming plines in the public safety system and I think Lack of leadership experience responsibility for justice and law enforce- the validity of this model is self evident as When it comes to handing over responsi- ment.” we view the results.” bilities, Mr. Benne believes that at a basic According to him, in the fi rst instance it is role In Benne ’s view public safety depends on operational level KPS offi cers know what to do. But he thinks that one can only become of the Ministries that needs to be identifi ed. an eff ective and co-ordinated system of ser- so eff ective aV er reaching a certain level of They are then to be provided with capacity vice delivery and the School can and should experience. “There are things where you building to enhance their competences. “I be an early and sustainable mechanism to need to have a particular acquired skill and personally think that this is an important promote that philosophy. “I anticipate that experience to complete your competence. area where OSCE’s experience and mandate we will continue to move toward the model, Because the majority of offi cers have less are particularly well suited to the task. In my which I would call an academy of public than fi ve years of experience it is unreason- opinion we are still the best organization for safety education and development,” he con- able to expect mastery of all skills at such this mandate. This is not an exclusive man- cluded. an early stage of development. They are, date but one which will certainly be shared however, daily closing the gap toward full as will be determined during future plan- competency.” ning and diplomatic dialogue.” A short Biography:

Mr. Steve Benne Director, Department of Police Education and Development, OSCE Mission in Kosovo Benne , has over 40 years of law enforcement experience serving in the United States and abroad. He was seconded to the OSCE in 1999 and spent the last 5 and 1/2 years as Director of the OSCE Department of Police Education and Development, where he is still serving. He has also participated in the police development programs in the Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Jordan. He has previously served as Director of the Oregon State Board on Police Standards and Training, and is a past president of the International Association of Director’s of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. He is a criminal justice graduate of Saint Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, the FBI National Academy, and the Northwestern University Traffi c Institute where he was the recipient of the “Kreml Leadership Award”

3 DETAILS A Police Law for Kosovo The Police Law of Kosovo is nearing completion and will be issued in the form of a Regulation and related Administrative Direction in the coming weeks. It is the product of many hours of collaborative work by expert consultants, technical advisers and lawyers from the PISG, UNMIK, OSCE and other organizations. Whilst it is impossible to claim that any legislation can achieve complete consensus among the various stakeholders, great efforts were made in the development process to win support for a legal framework that looks to the future needs of the KPS and, more importantly, the people of Kosovo. The Police Law will create a sound legal foundation upon which the KPS can continue to develop as a paradigm of democratic policing in the region. Frank Harris, KPSS A law based on sound principles potential problems of the future. The Inspec- torate will have two main functions. Firstly, A democratic police service must be founded it will be responsible for the investigation of on a sound legal framework, one that fully allegations of serious misconduct by police embraces the principles of accountability, offi cers of all ranks, including the Commis- transparency and community-centricity. As sioner, thereby moving toward a system in the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) prepares which the police are policed by an indepen- for fi nal transition to the PISG and executive dent body rather than policing themselves. authority for policing in Kosovo it requires Secondly, it will perform a wide ranging such a legal framework. Unlike its sister audit function, with powers to inspect and organizations in other areas of the former report on the effi ciency and eff ectiveness of Yugoslavia, the KPS is a totally new organi- the KPS at every level. zation that is free of many of the concerns that face an established police organization As a further measure to reinforce trans- that must undergo the oV en painful process parency, the law introduces another inde- of reform. As a result of a communist heri- pendent entity known as the Senior Police tage and the overt politicization of the police Appointments and Discipline Commission. during the period of confl ict, the prevailing This group will be responsible for short- model of policing in the former Yugoslavia listing candidates for the ranks of Commis- is the ‘state-centric’ model. The la er is char- sioner and Deputy Commissioner, as well as hearing trials in relation to serious discipline acterized by a heavily centralized organiza- important aspects. The Police Commissioner off ences and recommending penalties. tion, politicization, poor accountability and is required to publish an annual Policing an absence of public confi dence. Plan that sets out key objectives for the Community Centric - Part V of the Regula- coming year and data about police perfor- tion is concerned with local policing and A law that recognizes threats to mance in the previous year. This allows the provisions that allow local communities to democratic policing public to see how well the KPS can respond engage in the formulation and implemen- tation of local policing plans. This is a vital Whilst the KPS currently enjoys a high level to community concerns, as well as showing how tax-payers’ money is spent. feature of democratic policing. Police offi - of public trust and confi dence it will be vul- cers are required to actively consult commu- The law recognizes that public trust in the nerable to changes that would adversely nity representatives about their concerns in police is contingent upon the non-political aff ect its public image unless it has a robust relation to safety and security, and then act nature of the organization. It introduces legal framework. There are indications on those concerns. within the existing transferred entities of the measures that prevent serving offi cers from PISG that centralization, politicization and being actively engaged in political parties, Challenges that lie ahead overt political interference could become as well as legal devices that seek to prevent threats to the democratic values of the KPS. the KPS from becoming a political tool. Of course this law will become merely a The Police Law of Kosovo must, therefore, Respect for human rights is a vital compo- lifeless document unless it is brought to life not only create a legal basis for the currently nent of a democratic police law and this is by the offi cers of the KPS, for the benefi t of emerging structures and organization of the clearly addressed in the draV Regulation. all the communities in Kosovo. There is no KPS, it must also contain measures that pre- An important gap in the existing provisions doubt that the performance of the KPS will serve KPS values and prevent it from later of the applicable law is the use of force by continue to be a critical element in the eff ort being moved toward a ‘state-centric’ model. police offi cers. This gap is closed by the new to move Kosovo toward fi nal status reso- It is satisfying that these issues and concerns Regulation in a carefully craV ed provision lution. As with so many other neighbour- have been considered in the development that defi nes the limiting factors that a court ing territories, it is the police that hold an of the Police Law and to a large extent are will (if necessary) use to determine whether important key to the creation of a safe and properly addressed in the new legislation. the use of police force was justifi ed in the stable society, one in which all communities circumstances. can develop and prosper in peaceful coex- Key features of the legislation istence. The new legislation represents a Transparent - The KPS has, from its incep- It is beyond the scope of this article to pro- sound framework for KPS success as it takes tion, embraced the principle of transpar- on this considerable challenge. vide a detailed summary of all the provisions ency in the way it off ers a totally objective of the draV Regulation and Administrative system of recruitment and promotion, one About the author Direction. However, the following is a syn- that is based purely on merit. Likewise the opsis of the key features of the law as they KPS refl ects the society it serves in terms of Frank Harris is the Planning Adviser within relate to the principles of democratic polic- the ethnic and gender mix of its offi cers. All the Offi ce of the Director – OSCE Department ing, namely: accountability, transparency of this is institutionalized in the new law. In of Police Education and Development. He has and community-centricity. addition, the law introduces an independent been fully engaged in the Working Groups Accountable - The new law embraces the oversight mechanism known as the Police that have produced both the draV Regulation principle of accountability in a number of Inspectorate – a measure that looks to the and related Administrative Direction. 4 DETAILS Community - based policing and community safety “An effective Rule of Law requires above all that every member of every community in Kosovo is able to live work and travel in a peaceful and secure environment. Such an environment requires not only an effective and professional police service and judiciary but above all the active co- operation of every inhabitant of Kosovo” – Kosovo Standards Implementation Plan. Hasan Sopa, OSCE Although the overall safety and security situation has been steadily improving over the last fi ve years, Kosovo’s citizens are not entirely confi dent that the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) has the required professional experience to tackle these complex issues. They are a new police service and there is still much they need to do before taking over a full responsibility for policing. To help Kosovo become safer and more secure place, in 2003 the OSCE-run Kosovo Police School Service (KPSS), in close co- operation with its local and international partners, implemented the fi rst Community Safety Action Teams Programme. The pur- pose of the programme is to develop new, and promote the existing, relationships between community members, municipal representatives, and the police. The Pro- gramme created multiple forums for their interaction and involvement. It is based on the community policing principle that states: “The police are the people, and the people are the police.”

The concept Under the community policing concept, police offi cers and ordinary citizens work together to solve community’s problems that relate to crime and social disorder. “Achiev- ing these goals requires a strong relationship between the police and law-abiding people in the community,” says Julie Fleming, Com- munity Policing Coordinator at the KPSS in Under the community policing concept police develops close relationships with local population, Vushtrri/Vučitrn. “Police working together especially young people. with community members and local gov- ernment representatives with a common police and the public. “This kind of relation- ing this requires a long-term eff ort. Dr. goal of reducing crime and increasing safety, ship gives the community a greater voice in Duff ey explains: “It is a complex process is the essence of community policing,” she se ing police priorities and involves every- that requires contemporaneous action to explained. one in eff orts to improve the overall quality be taken at all levels translating philosophy “Community-based policing is both a phi- of life,” she said. into actions. This usually requires changing losophy and a strategy,” says Dr. Tamara the a itude of the people who have become, Duff ey, Special Projects Advisor at the KPSS. oV en for legitimate reasons, fearful and dis- “This strategy provides an opportunity for Community safety must engage trustful of the police.” the police and local communities to work all local partners Changing traditional policing to community policing is not an easy task. Ron Schwartz, a together in fi nding local solutions to local OV en people think that security and safety retired Public Safety Director for the Grants problems,” she added. are purely police service ma ers. Julie Flem- Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon, According to Dr. Duff ey, a human rights- ing, thinks the opposite: “All local partners United States, and an Instructor at the KPSS, oriented police culture underpins the entire must be engaged in community safety. explains: “Community policing is not simply philosophy of community-based policing “When people get involved they get a sense a police unit deployed in the community, it and has two core action tracks: changing of ownership.” is rather a philosophy. It means shiV ing the the methods and practices of the police to In Kosovo, there is no history of community focus of police work from handling random be more democratic, and establishing strong policing. To the contrary, there is legacy of and collaborative relationship between the mistrust and lack of co-operation. Chang- Continues on pg. 6 5 DETAILS Continued from pg. 5 calls to proactively working to resolve com- It is for real - Women are munity problems.” In the United States, says Mr. Schwartz, advanced technology and police equipment, making difference made for speedy and effi cient response to calls for service, but have leV eff ectiveness Involvement of women in the new Kosovo Police Service has been one of the greatest challenges that behind. Police offi cers became “men with- the OSCE Mission’s Department of Police Education and Development has faced since it first opened out legs” driving around answering calls its doors in September 1999. and making very li le or no contact with the community. They had less impact in Ardian Spahiu, KPSS fi ghting crime and providing security. This Considering the patriarchal mentality still Slađana Stojanović, KPS Instructor and “band-aid” approach was obviously only a present in the Balkans, it was not expected mother of two, said: “I am very glad that I temporary solution. that the women in Kosovo would be inter- had the opportunity to show that women “It was not until we involved the whole ested in joining the newly created Kosovo can do diffi cult and responsible jobs in community, business associations, schools, Police Service (KPS). The reality turned out Kosovo and make positive changes.” to be the opposite. elderly people, the Parks Department, and We can say that the OSCE’s has completed its even the trouble-makers, that we began mandate in this regard. Out of 6,953 police making a real diff erence. We simply out- KPS female offi cers can do just offi cers that graduated from Kosovo Police numbered the gangs who were hanging as good as their male colleagues Service School (KPSS), 15 percent are female in the park, selling drugs and bothering representing all ethnic groups of Kosovo. people. Our presence there as a community Women in Kosovo, like everywhere else in Since 16 October 1999, when the fi rst class involved in doing something diff erent made the western world, showed that there is no of 176 recruits graduated from the KPSS, them eventually go away,” he said. role or responsibility in society they could not take on. In fact the experience in Kosovo Kosovan female offi cers were present in has taught that KPS’s female offi cers can be each and every class. Class 30 is scheduled Problem solving strategy just as good as, if not be er, than their male to complete basic education programme on colleagues, in performing their duties. the 4th of June 2005, at which point, KPS Mr. Schwartz and his US colleague Pamela will have the following ethnic and gender It is encouraging that all of the KPS female Cournoyer, President and the CEO of Com- composition: munity Leadership and Support Service cadets and later graduated offi cers were Incorporated, have come to Kosovo to assist strongly supported by their families, friends KPSS empower the Community Safety and the society. Shortly aV er 1999, seeing Kosovo Albanian 84% Action Teams Programme. To date, teams female offi cer policing streets of Kosovo, for of up to 35 people have been established in many, was a dream come true. Kosovo Serbs 10% eight municipalities, and are being trained “My family is very proud of me being a Others: in additional four municipalities. police offi cer and having a chance to serve 6% (Kosovo Roma, Turks, Gorani, Bosniaks, and Muslim Slavs) Community Safety Action Teams (CSATs) the people of Kosovo. I am very happy that I have a chance to proof that Kosovo women will continue working to further promote Male 85% can make a big diff erence in improving the the community police philosophy through life of all Kosovans,” said Arbresha Bajrami implementation of prevention, partnerships Female 15% who is serving with the regional police sta- and problem solving strategies to address tion in Pejё/Peć and was awarded KPS’s fi rst concerns recognized both by the people and Lifesaving Medal. the police. The OSCE Department of Police Education According to Mr. Schwartz, communication Everyone serves under one fl ag and Development is tasked with developing between the police, municipality and com- and training a new democratic Kosovo KPS is very proud of its multi-ethnic com- munity members has increased remarkably. Police Service that will uphold the rule of position. Thanks to the never-ending eff orts This is just one of many benefi ts of commu- law and further respect for human rights. and contribution of the OSCE and the inter- nity-based policing. “Since 2003, concrete More over it aims to ensure that the gender national community, today we have men problem solving projects have taken place in balance is respected and maintained by and women of all ethnic groups serving diff erent municipalities including address- strongly encouraging women to joining this under one fl ag, the fl ag of the Kosovo Police ing youth and drug problems in schools, institution and play their part in society. Service. landfi ll issues, traffi c safety, theV s, stray dogs, border crimes, and many more,” he added. Community policing and the CSAT Pro- gramme have provided an excellent oppor- tunity for police, municipalities and the communities-at-large. One could say that much bigger progress is yet to be expected. As Pamela Cournoyer noted, “People here are open and willing to learn and work together for the be erment of their commu- nities.” According to her, that is not some- thing that can be seen very oV en where she comes from. 6 DETAILS New generations of recruits set task of policing in Kosovo William Henley , OSCE While most modern European police ser- they become experts of diff erent fi elds, crim- vices have had centuries to evolve and inology, community patrolling, traffi c, etc,” develop, Kosovo has had li le over fi ve years explained Re\ i Morina, Police Spokesper- to develop its own professional, indigenous son for the KPS. “All this happens gradually, police capability. Selected by international going step-by-step, so that they reach the police offi cers from the United Nations Mis- level where they can be professional police sion in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the KPS, new offi cers in a certain fi eld,” he added. recruits are trained by the Kosovo Police Morina certainly speaks very highly of the Service School (KPSS) - run by the OSCE commitment of new recruits and of what Mission in Kosovo. the KPS has been able to achieve in recent Marking the end of six months of police months and years. “This new generation of education and basic training, the structured police offi cers is enthusiastic and has the fi eld training with UNMIK police challenges will to work.” recruits to practically apply the theoretical KPS police offi cers patrolling Kosovo now knowledge gained at the KPSS in Vushtrri/ outnumber their UN civilian police coun- Vučitrn, in northern Kosovo. Skills that the terparts. “We have about 30 police stations police offi cers have to master include basic transferred to local control”, says Morina. police patrol duties, use of fi rearms, fi rst-aid “An entire region, Gjilan, has become inde- and traffi c control. pendent and is now run by KPS members. The successes of this region are really great, Field training – practical and mental particularly since they’ve been transferred. preparation In recent days for instance, 15 kg of heroin With their field training completed, recruits During the fi eld training, graduates of the have been seized, worth half a million are charged with putting their newly acquired Police School are deployed with UNMIK euros,” he added. and KPS Primary Field Training Offi cers, policing skills to the test. who function as mentors and evaluate their Good recruiting means good offi cers overall performance. Over successive years, the intake of new Advanced training and specialization “At the beginning it was hard because I recruits has grown and grown, improving Beyond the compulsory fi eld training, a cul- didn’t know the rules and procedures, but the capacity of the domestic police to even- ture of continuous learning is being struc- as time advanced I realized I was perform- tually take full responsibility for policing in tured into the professional development of ing really good,” explains Majlinda Sadiku, Kosovo. all police offi cers. So as to ensure the confi - a new police offi cer from the twenty-ninth But the selection procedure is rigorous. dence of the public in the police over years class of recruits, receiving fi eld training in Despite huge interest, with over 19,000 to come, certifi ed offi cers are regularly iden- Prishtinë/Priština. “We had the support of applications received by August 1999, only tifi ed for advanced training on areas such the older policemen who helped us in diff er- 176 cadets were selected when the KPSS fi rst as criminal investigations, supervision, and ent situations. Their advice was especially opened in September 1999. To date, only management. important when it got to communication around 7,300 have been selected to join the The KPSS also off ers specialized, extra-cur- with people. So what we learned at school, ranks of the KPS. ricular training in organized crime, hostage we did it in practice, but without the help of In addition to having to be over the age of negotiation, and special weapons and tac- older policemen, we wouldn’t have been able 21 and in excellent physical and mental con- tics, as well as providing training for border to achieve what we achieved,” she said. dition, candidates are selected on the basis police and correctional service offi cers. As Isa Gashi, another new recruit, added: of their willingness to work with diff erent Through creating a skilled, professional “We had teams of one experienced police- ethnicities and religions, educational merit, police service, the KPSS endeavors to restore man and two or three new policemen. The their commitment to human rights, and trust and confi dence in the structures and experienced policeman did his best to pass their overall strength of moral character. agents of law enforcement. This is the key on to us what he knew. With their help, we Importance is placed on the need to create to ensuring the enduring cooperation of the managed to bracket together very well what a truly representative police service. Of wider public and diff erent communities in we learned at the School with actual work the fi rst thirty generations of prospective community policing, and in safeguarding in the fi eld.” police offi cers recruited, ten percent have a law-abiding, democratic society that is Key to the fi eld training is incorporating come from the Kosovo Serb community respectful of human rights. the basic training’s emphasis on democratic and another six percent from other ethnic Morina is positive about the future. “People and community policing while undertak- minorities. The number of female trainees is in Kosovo from all nationalities have under- ing practical, day-to-day police duties. This improving also, with over seventy women stood that they have to cooperate with the involves enforcing the law for the common in the twenty-ninth class of recruits. Kosovo police because we are in their ser- good and serving the people without resort “I see KPS as a police force that will really vice and we protect the interest of all Kosovo to prejudice, fear or favor. Herein, police offi - serve the people of Kosovo and will be con- inhabitants”. cers learn about how to best work together nected to the people, regardless of ethnic- Their fi eld training over, the challenge for with the local community to combat crime ity or gender,” explained Morina. “A really the new police recruits is to meet these high and antisocial behavior. democratic police force that will work in standards expected of them by their superi- “A V er they’ve completed this practical part, line with applicable laws.” ors, their trainers, and the public at large. 7 DETAILS OSCE deploys Human Rights Experts to the police The role of the police in a modern, democratic society is to uphold human rights, rule of law, order and safety. This is the expectation of ordinary citizens and one of the major priorities for the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. Zaal Margvelashvili, OSCE long-term, the OSCE shiV ed its eff orts to the development of institutional human rights protection mechanisms in the police service. In an agreement with the UNMIK Police leadership, and following the signing of a Terms of Reference with the KPS, in Janu- ary 2005 the Mission began implementing a Human Rights Expert (HRE) programme designed to create and foster a culture of human rights within the police. Shortly aV er, the Mission began placing HRE teams in the main police headquarters in Prishtinë/Priština and the fi ve regional police offi ces. Their role is to ensure the transfer of the Mission’s human rights expertise to the police. The teams advise the KPS and UNMIK Police on the develop- ment of human rights compliant policies, and, at the same time, they build the capaci- ties of police offi cers to perform their duties in a human rights compliant manner. This approach allows the OSCE to infl uence the decision-making of the police at an early stage, making changes sustainable in the long-run. The HREs work closely with senior, profes- sional, and junior police offi cers. In the inter- est of good co-operation they are a ached to the offi ces of police commanders and conduct their work from police premises. The HREs focus their activities on areas such as: arrests and custody; the rights of vulner- able arrested persons (such as juveniles, the mentally ill, and those in need of medical treatment); the rights of victims, especially Human Rights Experts are helping ensure police activities are human rights complaint. victims of domestic violence and traffi ck- ing; transparency and public confi dence in In 1999, the United Nations Interim Admin- policing functions at municipal and regional the police, including internal complaints istration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) was levels from UNMIK Police to the KPS was and oversight. They also identify capacity- tasked with the responsibility for policing initiated. building needs and assist the police in orga- in Kosovo on the basis of the UN Security nizing trainings. The OSCE Mission has been closely follow- Council Resolution 1244. It deployed an ing-up developments related to the police, The successful implementation of the pro- international police force (UNMIK Police), changing its focus as necessary in response gramme largely depends on mutual trust and in parallel, the building of a new to the changing situation in Kosovo. From between police offi cers and the HREs. It is Kosovo Police Service (KPS) began. the off set, the Mission was monitoring the also subject to the commitment of all par- At the initial stage, all policing functions law enforcement agencies and addressing ties involved to embrace human rights pro- were undertaken by the international specifi c cases from a human rights per- tection as a foundation of and as a reason UNMIK Police; KPS offi cers simply assisted spective. Later on, OSCE took a more the- for their work. The OSCE is determined to and benefi ted from the experience of inter- matic approach, wherein reports on various facilitate such a process. Judging by the co- national policemen and women. Over time, human rights issues were produced and operation it has had with the KPS thus far, the role and function of the KPS gradually presented to police authorities. To ensure the HREs programme should be yielding increased, and in 2004 the full transition of that its impact would be sustainable in the immediate results. 8 DETAILS Crime fighting and news reporting: Police and journalists should be working together One of the most popular types of news stories is the crime story. Turn the page of any national or local newspaper or watch or listen to any radio or television bulletin and chances are that a crime story will feature. If a public figure is accused of criminal activity, the scandal excites. If a gang is attacking and robbing passers-by in a certain town, the public need to be warned.

William Henley , OSCE Police records and crime statistics generate a vast number of crime-based news stories. Whatever the crime, the police should thus be the main point of contact for any enquiring news journalist. It is the police whom respond to and investigate crimes, whom are best placed to judge the accuracy of a story, verify journalists’ leads, and provide crucial details, such as the circumstances surrounding a crime or progress with the police investigation. And as all good journalists and editors understand, the reliability of a newspaper or a television or radio station is crucial to its success. If the public cannot rely on the accuracy of its stories, a news outlet’s sales or ratings will undoubtedly fall.

Main point of contact Police offi cers can off er reporters access to crime scenes for fi lming or photographing, providing editors with illustrations to complement a reporter’s words. The police might grant exclusive interviews or allow Cooperation between the police and the journalists is a two way process. journalists to travel with their offi cers during operations or as arrests are a empted, their reporting of the incident that sparked Distrust and Fear off ering reporters an unparalleled insight an explosion of violence – the drowning As Alma Lama, a reporter with RTK, into the very heart of crime fi ghting and of three Albanian children. A report by the explains: “Up until now, relations between vastly enhancing the element of drama in a Temporary Media Commissioner blasted police and journalists have been poor. It’s crime story. the “reckless and sensationalist reporting” a general lack of trust which is the main of 16 March, singling out Radio Television It thus makes good sense for journalists to problem,” she says. Journalists naturally Kosovo (RTK) and Kohavision (KTV) for cultivate contacts with police spokespersons see their purpose as serving and informing having “willingly chosen to ignore” the and offi cers alike. But editors should the public, but a common assumption is statements of the UN police. understand that their journalists can’t that the police wish to exercise control over build confi dence with the police overnight. “At about 22:00 we received intelligence the information that they make available to They should allow reporters to specialize information that some Albanians from the journalists, that they withhold information as dedicated crime correspondents. As areas were coming to Caber to protest the that is unfl a ering of their own operations. For journalists, it may feel uncomfortable to Claude Salhani, editor at United Press death of the children,” Tracy Becker, UNMIK get too close to the police. International, explained at a recent OSCE- Regional Police Spokesperson in Mitrovica sponsored training for journalists and police later explained about the events of 16 March: In turn, police are fearful that by releasing spokespersons: “If a police offi cer trusts “I went back to the media, specifi cally to details to journalists, news outlets will you, if you share a coff ee or even eat with RTK and KTV, and gave them an on-camera publish or broadcast key information that them from time to time, he or she will be interview during which I appealed for could jeopardize an arrest, allowing suspects much more willing to speak off the record people to stay calm and stay home so that to escape or endangering investigating offi cers. They understand that journalists with you, helping you out with information the police can focus on fi nding the children are under constant pressure by their editors that makes your job as a journalist a whole rather than deploying manpower to handle to deliver exciting stories. The police thus lot easier.” crowds,” she said. fear that their words may be taken out “I again emphasized that we had no evidence of context or manipulated, intentionally Poor cooperation to support the rumour of Serbians killing or unintentionally, by over-enthusiastic However, in March 2004 it became clear Albanian children. I requested RTK and reporters and editors. The reckless and that the Kosovo news media’s level of co- KTV to air the footage in order to calm the unsubstantiated reporting of 16 March has operation with the police was far from public and decrease ethnic tension. To my done nothing to improve the police’s trust of satisfactory. Both the print and broadcast knowledge they did not air my interview,” the media. news media came in for strong criticism for added Becker. Continues on pg. 10 9 DETAILS

Continued from pg. 9 police appeals for the public to come forward As Georgy Kakuk, regional UNMIK with sightings, the chances of apprehending spokesperson, later explained about the But over-caution on the part of the police a suspect are greatly enhanced. Sometimes events of 16 March: “During that evening can further aggravate mistrust and disdain journalists are willing to contribute it did not seem to ma er to the journalists amongst journalists. Even if police offi cers information from their own investigations what we said. They seemed to have made trust journalists, they may view them as and are willing to testify in court, helping to their conclusions before. Whatever we said, pestering and bothersome, distracting secure successful prosecutions. it was disregarded.” a ention away from real police work. In truth, the media should be harnessed as a real asset to crime fi ghting. Protecting the public Mutual benefi ts The fi rst priority of the police is to protect They should have, in fact, worked together Media as a tool for crime fi ghting the public. If a spate of burglaries or a series with the police. For to reap the benefi ts of One of the most common problems for of a acks are occurring in one part of a cooperation between police and journalists, the police is victims and witnesses failing town, the police would wish to warn the both parties need to cooperate in a culture of to come forward to report crimes. This is public about the danger. It is therefore in understanding and trust. especially the case for some of the most the police’s interest to utilize the media as Reporters and editors should understand hidden types of crimes – human traffi cking, a means of contact with the public, using that the police cannot compromise an corruption, domestic abuse, drug dealing. television, radio and print media to get ongoing investigation, reveal important Fear of public scorn, or anxiety that the their message across. Beyond public safety, witnesses, or undermine the achievement of police will fail to treat their allegations the media also acts as an excellent tool for justice and human rights. Journalists must seriously, are common causes of a victim highlighting police success stories, reporting ask themselves whether ge ing a story out or witness’ unwillingness or reluctance on arrests and successful prosecutions. By into the public is really worth the damage to speak to the police. But by assisting the strengthening the transparency of the police, it may cause to a police investigation or media in publishing crime stories, bringing allowing journalists greater access to police whether it will incite further violence and the aforementioned crimes to the a ention offi cers, the police help to improve public endanger public safety. Journalists need to of the public, witnesses and victims can be confi dence in the criminal justice system as be objective and measured in their tone, and encouraged to come forward. a whole. As a consequence, the likelihood above all they need to be accurate. that citizens and communities will pursue “Take domestic violence as an example,” Reporters and editors alike have to explained Re\ i Morina, spokesperson for the path of vigilante justice – as happened in be satisfi ed to wait for a full police the Kosovo Police Service: “Journalists March 2004 - is greatly lessened. announcement or press conference on the are crucial in raising awareness amongst A year ago, a number of journalists and results of a police investigation. Speculation citizens about these crimes. Their reporting editors failed to give adequate a ention to - the journalist’s ‘hunch’ - can drive his or her on these cases has encouraged more and the police’s calls for calm. They failed to be own investigations, but should rarely feature more victims to come forward to the police, objective and were irresponsible in their in the printed article or broadcast, unless especially in cities, but also in rural areas.” reporting of the facts, giving undue weight conclusively proven. Far from betraying Through publishing descriptions and to speculative accounts of the events of those the principle of objective and impartial pictures of suspects, for instance, or airing days. reporting, cooperation with the police can enhance the reliability of a story and in turn improve a news outlet’s sales or ratings.

Two-way process This is of course a two-way process. In return for agreeing to hold a story until crucial arrests are made, the police should consider off ering journalists exclusivity, providing interviews and quotes to improve the quality of their stories. Police spokespersons should be open and honest with journalists’ deadlines and be understanding of the pressures that journalists are under from their editors, their rivals and from the readership or audience. But above all, they should be appreciative of the benefi ts of utilizing the news media in crime fi ghting. The utility of cooperation is clear – for both journalists and the police. Working together does not entail selling out. Neither does it limit the eff ectiveness of police work or the quality of news reporting. Whether the objective is to improve news reporting, sell more newspapers or gain higher radio and television ratings, or whether it is to strengthen the a ainment of justice and secure public safety, the police and the news The OSCE assists media and the police in building mutual respect. media should realize that the only way that can really achieve both is to work together. 10 DETAILS Supporting future leaders Edita Buçaj, OSCE Vushtrri / Vučitrn is a small town, some a ending will be 250. This number is double 25 kilometres north of Kosovo’s main city compared to the fi rst camp and is very of Prishtinë /Priština, but for the Kosovo’s encouraging.” police force, whose strength now reaches By tackling diff erent aspects of human rights, some 7000, their capital is the former.Its civic responsibilities, confl ict management icon – the OSCE-run Kosovo Police Service and resolution, these youngsters are pro- School (KPSS) – is situated in the centre of vided with a very useful skills required to Vushtrri/Vučitrn. The order and tidiness become a leader in a diverse environment there is striking, as is its organization. like Kosovo. Not only police offi cers have had the chance “The impact of these camps will be seen in and privilege to study here. The School is the long-run, because they are young and responsible for training all public safety still need to go through their high education. groups, which includes security, corrections However, the curricula developed with our and custom offi cers, and fi remen. professional offi cers presents a very good But the targets have expanded and the KPSS starting point at the time when they are is seeking ways of building bridges with the about to begin shaping their future,” says community, especially the young people. Juliane Hertweck. The largest age group in Kosovo is undoubt- Ms. Hertweck has been working with KPSS seeks ways to build bridges with edly made up of youth, with approximately Kosovo youth groups for quite a long time local communities. 60 percent of population under the age of and is confi dent that the work they do with 30. them will benefi t the students, communities camp and we really had a good time with they come from and the police. the police offi cers and trainers at the School. As the political elite in Kosovo is not very For most of us, this was the fi rst such experi- “It is also about changing their mindset. rich with young politicians the idea came up ence and I advise everyone who can partici- There is no longer reason to be afraid of to start a project which would develop and pate in these camps to do so,” said a Kosovo approaching police and talking to them, strengthen youth groups and at the same Turkish participant. time contribute to establishing links between because the police are there to serve the “The Police School will continue to host them and the police. people,” she adds. activities like this in the future,” said Steve Besides giving youth from all ethnic groups “We started organizing youth camps back in Benne , KPSS Director. “The OSCE Mission 2004. The fi rst one was held in July and the an opportunity to get to know the police and in Kosovo has all the intent to continue sup- second in November,” says Nerimane Ger- fellow peers from diff erent areas, the camp porting young people in ge ing the place guri, one of the KPSS’s Youth Camp Project help them develop a feeling mutual trust they deserve in the society by providing managers “The third is to be held at the end and respect with others in their age group. them with diff erent educational projects,” of June 2005 and the number of teenagers “I made lots of new friends while at the he added. Highlights from the field Nderim Pasuli, OSCE The OSCE Mission in Kosovo delivers its programmes local institutions. through a network of eight Offices in: Gjilan/Gnjilane, The OSCE Offi ce in Prizren has been concentrating on raising the Lipjan/Lipljan, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, Pejë/Peć, Prishtinë/ awareness of school children about the Prizren’s municipal struc- Priština, Prizren, Rahovec/Orahovac, Štrpce/Shtërpcë, as tures and their competences with a particular focus on the munici- well as its headquarters in Prishtinë/Priština. pality’s obligations towards citizens, but also citizens obligations to the municipality. It helped establish and now supports the activi- As its new feature, Details will provide insight in the spe- ties of the School Representatives Net (SRN), a multiethnic group of cifics of the OSCE Offices’ work and will shed the light on over 30 high-school students, accompanied by their teachers, repre- projects they conduct. senting the Schools of Medicine, Economy, Technology, Music and OSCE Office Prizren was chosen as a first one for its work the Gymnasium. with youth and minority communities. According to Maurzio Giachero, from the OSCE Offi ce, the School Representatives Net aims to foster networking activities among dif- ferent schools’ representatives. “It is also to develop their capacity Working with youth to advancing their knowledge for interaction with local institutions,” he said. about local institutions and their responsibilities Two Municipal Elections have been held in Kosovo and the munici- Municipal Tour Project pal authorities are up and working. However, there is still a notice- Back in December 2004, under the Municipal Tour Project, the SRN able lack of knowledge, especially amongst young people, about was taken for a study visit to the offi ces of Prizren Municipality. The municipal structures, their functions and responsibilities. visit provided for direct communication with Municipal Youth Offi - To ensure democratic practices become a part of Kosovo’s tradition cer and a briefi ng on the respective offi ce’s work and other services it is necessary to develop strong links between the youth and the the municipality provides to citizens. 11 DETAILS “The visit off ered a good opportunity to the a endees to advance The knowledge gained through study visits to Prizren Municipality, their knowledge and understanding of the municipal structures, OSCE Offi ce and KPS will be passed through the School Represen- activities and citizens’ rights. The interest of participants was very tatives Net to other pupils in their fi ve respective schools big and they expressed their wish to continue with similar activi- ties,” said the Project Manager, Ms. Gylser Skenderi. The SRN helps secondary school students to be er understand Kosovo Visiting the OSCE offi ce institutions and get acquainted with their work and responsibilities for operating in an open, transparent and publicly accountable way. In a follow up, in April 2005, the OSCE Offi ce and the SRN orga- nized a study visit to the OSCE and briefed the students on the OSCE mandate and activities. The visit helped complete the picture The rights to information for Roma community in about the interaction between local authorities and international community, and the ways in which they co-operate. Much of the Prizren briefi ng concentrated on the OSCE’s institution and capacity build- Minority communities oV en face isolation and lack information ing activities. about services and opportunities available to them. Development of “Institution building means supporting the development of dem- quality broadcast programmes that provide information about edu- ocratic structures on behalf of the whole society” said Mr. Horst cation and other relevant issues from the political and social life has Denecke, Head of the OSCE Offi ce Prizren. a crucial role in tackling this issue. As a historic crossroad for traders and entrepreneurs Prizren has Project proposal drafting procedures been a synonym of tolerance. It is considered as a centre of culture If it can not be wri en it can not be done. With this in mind, the and art by diff erent ethnic communities. In addition to Albanian, OSCE Offi ce in Prizren, earlier this month, organized a workshop Serbian, Bosnian, and Turkish, Romani language is also spoken in on project proposal draV ing procedures for the SRN members. In the streets and other public places. group work they had to write their own project and present them. Teachers saw the workshop as a good stimulation for the students in the SRN to undertake more activities on their own. The Prizren Roma Programming at ‘Radio Prizreni’ offi ce expects to see fi rst project on youth involvement in work of However, Roma community and Romani language were not ade- the municipality in a very near future. quately represented in local radio broadcasts. To remedy the situa- tion the OSCE Offi ce in Prizren supported the establishment of the Community policing and youth Roma Programming Editorial Desk at Radio Prizren, which has by The community policing concept is based on a strong co-operation now established itself as a multilingual institution. and frequent interaction between police and citizens. The OSCE The newly established Roma Editorial Desk is one of the main Mission has initiated and still supports its implementation. sources of information to the Roma community in the region. “The Under the concept the police and citizens are to jointly identify secu- main purpose of the project is to provide a broadcast service to the rity concerns and work to resolve them. Through direct involve- Roma population in their own language, to integrate a Roma edi- ment citizenry develops sense of ownership and responsibility fort torial and Roma staff into the radio station’s scope, and upgrade the overall safety. broadcasting skills by reaching adequate editorial standards, which To increase the interaction between the KPS and Prizren’s youth the will suit to the needs of Roma community,” said Maurizio Giachero, OSCE Offi ce, on 10 May organized a study visit to the local Kosovo a Democratization Offi cer at the OSCE Offi ce in Prizren. “We also Police Service Station. aim to further enhance Radio Prizren’s position as a multi-ethnic broadcaster and fostering the development of sustainable media.” “The police serves citizens and works to establish safer environment for all, regardless of their ethnic, religious or other backgrounds. It The Editorial Desk is strongly supported by the management of respects and promotes human rights”, said Mr. Fatmir Kryeziu, the Radio Prizren. “Radio Prizren as a community oriented broadcaster KPS Community Police Offi cer in Prizren. aims to tackle one of the main challenges faced by Roma community Pupils and teachers were particularly interested to learn about the living in Prizren region, which is undoubtedly the lack of qualitative KPS’s role in juvenile crime prevention, KPS’s organizational struc- programs and the right to information in Roma language,” said Mr. ture and regular daily activities. Abdullah Hoxha, the Director of Radio Prizren.

Integrating Roma community During a visit to Radio Prizren and the Roma programming desk a positive working environment between journalists of diff erent eth- nical background was clearly noticed. Their general motivation is to identify and address communities’ needs. “The Roma Programming Editorial Desk is intending to increase the co-operation between diff erent ethnic groups and enhance their level of understanding for the benefi t to all. By broadcasting specifi c programmes in Roma language we would like to encourage and promote the integration of our community into the society, by rais- ing the public awareness, especially of other communities, about the needs, challenges and rights of Roma community”, said Mr. Nexhip Menekshe, the Editor of Roma Programming. Through public awareness raising programs that include cultural content and debates with representatives of diff erent communities OSCE Office in Prizren, working with youth to advancing their knowledge on challenges, diffi culties and needs, this editorial desk is targeting about local institutions and their responsibilities to promote equity and integration of Roma community into society. 12