Second training course for police officers in southern Serbia started
The OSCE conducts multi-ethnic police training since 1999. (Lubomir Kotek/OSCE) Photo details
BELGRADE, 30 May 2001 (OSCE) - The OSCE Mission to Yugoslavia is currently conducting in Bujanovac the second course for former police officers and reserves of Albanian and Serb origin, as part of an integrated package meant to develop a multi-ethnic police element in southern Serbia.
This package, jointly developed with the Republican Ministry of Interior, consists of three phases.
The first phase started on 21 May and will end on 9 June and consists of three 5-day refresher and update courses for former police officers. At the completion of these courses around 40 police officers from both the Serb and Albanian communities will have been trained.
The first six joint patrol teams have been deployed on the ground on 28 May.
"The results of the police patrols performed by mixed Serb and Albanian teams are encouraging and we are confident that more teams can soon be employed", said Stefano Sannino, Head of the OSCE Mission to Yugoslavia.
The second phase will start on 11 June and will consist of a 5-week training programme to be conducted in Bujanovac. 40 officers are slotted for this programme (20 Serbs and 20 Albanians). The programme has been designed for candidates with police background.
The third phase will consist of a 12-week basic training programme for new recruits, i.e. for candidates with no previous police experience. The goal is of training at least 400 officers. The beginning of this basic training is scheduled for the end of July with preparations currently focusing on the selection of candidates, the development of a complete training program and the identification of a suitable training centre.
The OSCE Mission to the FRY encourages members of all ethnic communities in southern Serbia who meet the basic requirements to submit their applications thus contributing to the further improvement of the security situation in that area.
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For more information please contact Stella Ronner, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, tel: +381 11 367 24 25, mobile: +381 63 315 969; e-mail: Sronner@yubc.net, website: www.osce.org/yugoslavia/
This package, jointly developed with the Republican Ministry of Interior, consists of three phases.
The first phase started on 21 May and will end on 9 June and consists of three 5-day refresher and update courses for former police officers. At the completion of these courses around 40 police officers from both the Serb and Albanian communities will have been trained.
The first six joint patrol teams have been deployed on the ground on 28 May.
"The results of the police patrols performed by mixed Serb and Albanian teams are encouraging and we are confident that more teams can soon be employed", said Stefano Sannino, Head of the OSCE Mission to Yugoslavia.
The second phase will start on 11 June and will consist of a 5-week training programme to be conducted in Bujanovac. 40 officers are slotted for this programme (20 Serbs and 20 Albanians). The programme has been designed for candidates with police background.
The third phase will consist of a 12-week basic training programme for new recruits, i.e. for candidates with no previous police experience. The goal is of training at least 400 officers. The beginning of this basic training is scheduled for the end of July with preparations currently focusing on the selection of candidates, the development of a complete training program and the identification of a suitable training centre.
The OSCE Mission to the FRY encourages members of all ethnic communities in southern Serbia who meet the basic requirements to submit their applications thus contributing to the further improvement of the security situation in that area.
--
For more information please contact Stella Ronner, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, tel: +381 11 367 24 25, mobile: +381 63 315 969; e-mail: Sronner@yubc.net, website: www.osce.org/yugoslavia/