Mission to Skopje supports management training for country's Border Police
The courses were provided by the Idrizovo Police Academy near Skopje, at the request of the Ministry of Interior.
A total of 153 senior and mid-level Border Police Officers and Police Academy Instructors have been trained under the ambitious management skills development programme, which the OSCE Mission has supported since the establishment of the country's Border Police in 2004.
Developing internal capacity
When the course first started in June 2004, there was just one international instructor doing the training. Very soon, however, the Mission had trained a number of enthusiastic local instructors, who also become part of the expanding multi-national team.
On 30 August 2005, responsibility for control of the border was successfully transferred from the military (under the Ministry of Defence) to the Border Police (the Ministry of Interior). The transfer of responsibility was part of the overall process of police reform. Under the Ohrid Framework Agreement of 2001, the country is committed to reforms that bring it into line with international standards.
"The final transfer at the border with Albania marks the end of all military responsibility in internal security and an important step in the development of the police service," said Ambassador Carlos Pais, Head of the OSCE Mission.
"A key element of this transfer is that the new border police will be able to develop long-term relationships with the communities along the border," explained Ambassador Pais. "Co-operation with local residents is an important part of effective border management and security in general."
It was agreed that every time a border region was taken over by the Ministry of Interior, the OSCE Mission would provide ten days of training to its middle and senior level managers. All participants received a graduation certificate on successful completion of the course.
The diverse ethnic, professional and educational backgrounds of the trainees made the courses extremely useful, especially since many current border police officers are experienced former army commanders. The trainees thus gained greater benefit from the group discussions and were able to learn best practices from their colleagues as well as from the instructors.
Interactive teaching techniques
To achieve the goal of strengthening the managerial abilities of the Border Police and make the officers more effective at carrying out their day-to-day duties in a rapidly-changing world, the instructors used interactive training methods, supported by case studies and role playing, discussions and presentations.
As one course graduate noted: "The course was extremely useful for me. I especially appreciated the team-building session, and am looking forward to using my new skills in the day-to-day management of my unit."
Mehmet Tok, Management Trainer from the Mission's Police Development Unit, added: "Our assistance was well received by the Border Police. The officers were able to improve their leadership, managerial and communication skills as well as studying the principles of motivation, participatory management, delegation of authority and empowerment techniques."
The participants also praised the relaxed and friendly atmosphere created by the instructors during the training, which allowed them to feel confident and absorb the material presented. It also helped them to better understand each other and be more open in their discussions and comments.
Visible results
The training was completed in October 2005, and the results can already be seen. Equipped with their newly-obtained skills, the country's Border Police are overcoming the challenges of the transition process.
"Thanks to the training, I can handle my everyday management routine much more efficiently," said one of the officers who took the course. "Modern management requires examining issues from different perspectives in order to find the most appropriate solution."
Another added: "I have already introduced the methods of management and communications that I learned on the course in my department. I also have greater understanding and respect for my colleagues."
Contemplating a return to his home country, Turkey, Mehmet Tok says that he is "happy to see the results of my work in this country. I can proudly say that I made a difference, and that the OSCE Mission made a difference as well.
"When I go back home to Turkey, I can be confident that these newly-trained leaders will successfully complete the Border Police reform process."