OSCE Mission in Kosovo

Security and public safety institutions in Kosovo were created from scratch following the 1999 NATO intervention and the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244. At that time, the OSCE was made responsible for training the new police service that would uphold human rights and democratic policing principles. To do so, it created an institution - the Kosovo Police Service School - that eventually evolved into the Kosovo Centre for Public Safety Education and Development.

The Centre now caters for the educational and training needs of the police, border, correctional, and fire and rescue services, offering basic to advanced courses. The OSCE gradually handed over responsibility for training and the Centre's management to local stakeholders, although it still supports the delivery of human rights and advanced training programmes. The Mission is also assisting the Centre in the process of obtaining the accreditation as an educational institution.

Combating Organized Crime

The Mission works with local and international stakeholders on the development of long-term strategies that will enhance the overall effectiveness of the security sector in response to the organized crime. It also provides specialized training to police and customs officers on combating organized crimes such as money laundering, trafficking in human beings and smuggling of drugs, vehicles and other goods.

Local community safety

To help the police develop a partnership with the public and carry out community-policing activities, the Mission provides specialized courses and supports public outreach activities.

It also helps create a more secure environment in municipalities by assisting the development and work of municipal community safety councils and local public safety committees, which address public security and safety concerns, particularly those of non-majority groups.

Security sector monitoring

In parallel with training and helping to improve safety in local communities, the OSCE also proactively monitors the work of the police for their adherence to international human rights standards, and advises police structures on how to improve their practices.

The Mission issues periodic reports that are presented to and analysed with all relevant officials, including high ranking police officers and representatives of the Kosovo ministry of internal affairs.

Together with the Mission's legal system monitoring, security sector monitoring provides a comprehensive overview of human rights accountability in the justice and police sectors.

Institutional support

To ensure the internal oversight and application of good governance practices within the police service, the Mission has helped establish and train the staff of the police inspectorate of Kosovo, and now monitors and supports its work.

On a more general level, the Mission works with all relevant institutions, particularly the Assembly of Kosovo and the Kosovo ministry of internal affairs, to help create a comprehensive legal framework and develop strategies for the security and public safety sectors.