OSCE Presence to train over 6,000 police officers ahead of local elections in Albania

TIRANA, 24 March 2015 - About 6,300 police officers across Albania will be trained on their role in the electoral process during a series of training courses which started today in Tirana and will run to the end of April. The training, which is organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania, in partnership with the Albanian State Police, and with the support of the Central Election Commission and the General Prosecutor’s office, comes ahead of the 21 June local elections.

Speaking at an event marking the start of training, the Head of the OSCE Presence, Ambassador Florian Raunig, said: “For all elections since 2007, the OSCE/ODIHR final report noted that the role of the police was professional throughout the whole election process. This is an excellent track record, one which we all expect you will maintain.” Raunig added that although the upcoming elections are a key event for Albania, ‘normal police business’ including the fight against corruption and organized crime, must continue with the necessary high level of dedication.

“We would like to assure you that the OSCE Presence will continue to be a strategic partner not only in this training process, but also in providing comprehensive support, advice and mentoring to the police. We share a common goal: to help Albania develop a security sector serving and trusted by its citizens and accountable to them,” he said.

The General Director of the Albanian State Police, Artan Didi, said that that the work of the police is crucial in guaranteeing a safe environment for free, fair and democratic elections. “The trust that the police will support and protect the citizens’ rights is a precondition and a guarantee that people exercise their right to vote, as well as the right to safety and freedom of expression,” he said.

More than 100 high- and middle-level police officers, including deputy general directors and regional police chiefs, will undergo training over the next four days. The training will then target six groups of trainers, who will, in turn, start the cascade training for over 6,000 police officers.