OSCE continues training police on public assembly management in Kazakhstan
ASTANA, 31 October 2016 – An OSCE-supported three-day training seminar for police officers on best practices in managing public assemblies began today in Astana.
The event, co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the Interior Ministry with the extra-budgetary support of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and the co-operation of the Dutch National Police Academy will focus on public safety for Expo 2017, which will begin in Astana in June next year. The Astana training course will be followed by a seminar focused on public safety during the 28th Universade World Winter Games in Almaty on 3-5 November. During these high-profile events, the country expects to host millions of international visitors.
Some 40 mid-level officers from the city police departments and Expo 2017 security department representatives will learn about best practices from the Dutch National Police Academy on maintaining public order during large public events.
Topics will include international standards in the management of resources utilised to provide security during long-term public events, ensuring security at terrorism-vulnerable sites, including the prevention of unlawful acts involving the use of explosive devices, access control points, the use of profiling techniques, vehicle search at venues of large public events, rules of conduct in emergency situations and citizen evacuation arrangements. Practical exercises will be conducted at the 2017 Expo international exhibition site in Astana and the 2017 Universade World Winter Games site.
“Preparation for hosting Expo 2017 and Universade requires that law enforcement officials engage in careful preparation and forward-thinking strategy in developing their tactics and strategies based on international experience and best practices to make sure everyone stays safe and enjoys the events,” said Colin McCullough, Officer in Charge of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana.
Dauren Kozybakov, Head of Unit at the Administrative Police Committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs said: "The main task of the police is to maintain law, order and security at Expo 2017 which will be held for the first time in Kazakhstan. We are studying the experience of other countries in order to identify potential security risks. We expect that this seminar will help us to get acquainted with the best international practices in this area.”
The event is part of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana's activities to enhance security, increase accountability, and promote law enforcement personnel and the public’s knowledge and rights through politico-military co-operation.