BISHKEK, 26 June 2009 - The OSCE Centre in Bishkek handed over computer equipment to the Kyrgyz Police Academy's pedagogy and psychology department today, marking Graduation Day at the Academy. 

"Supporting the government with its comprehensive police reform programme is a priority of the OSCE Centre, and the Police Academy plays an important role as a leading educational institution in the Kyrgyz Republic," said Lilian Darii, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre, at the handover ceremony.

The equipment was provided as part of an OSCE project that aims to strengthen the institutional, operational and educational capacities of the Kyrgyz police.

At the ceremony Richard Monk, the former OSCE Senior Police Adviser and former United Nations Senior Police Commissioner and Commissioner of Police in Kosovo, also presented the Endeavour Cup to police cadet Ulan Ermatov for his academic achievements.

The Police Academy awarded more than 219 diplomas this year. Interior Minister Moldomusa Kongantiev, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Boris Kubaev, Lilian Darii, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Evgeny Cherenkov, the OSCE Police Reform Programme Manager, police veterans and other guests attended the event.