OSCE Mission encourages young Kosovo Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians to join police ranks

A three-day orientation workshop for about 60 young Kosovo Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians designed to increase their understanding of police work and the benefits of joining police ranks, organized by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety and Kosovo Police, concluded on 12 April 2018 in Vushtrri/Vučitrn.

The workshop was organized ahead of an upcoming police call for new recruits and is aimed at encouraging members of these communities to enroll. Participants aged from 18 to 30 years learned about selection criteria to become police officers, such as the written, physical, and psychological tests, and underwent simulated job interviews.

“Despite various equal opportunity mechanisms in the police legislation, inclusion of Kosovo Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians remains a challenge,” said Shpresa Muharremi of the OSCE Mission. “We want to see more community representatives in police uniform as it will result in a more diverse police force and stronger community trust in police officers.”

During the workshop, participants were also acquainted with police law, basic training and curricula, community policing, key principles of democratic policing, and internal administrative regulations.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with the protection and promotion of human and community rights, as well as with democratization and public safety sector development.