OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports discussion on community policing

BISHKEK, 10 November 2008 - Police officers from across Kyrgyzstan met in Bishkek today for a roundtable discussion on implementing an OSCE-supported community policing programme and on ways to improve the scheme.

The event, organized by the Interior Ministry and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, brought together 55 police officers to review the OSCE-supported project, which started in 2003.

"Incorporating community policing principles into the activities of the Kyrgyz police has helped develop better interaction between police and the community and increase the trust of the people toward law enforcement representatives," said Colonel Shamyrbek Mamyrov, the Chief of the Interior Ministry's Reform Centre.

Lance Martel, the OSCE Centre's Community Policing Adviser, added: "The Community Policing Programme has helped make significant developments in the work of the police in every region of Kyrgyzstan since it was launched in 2003. We monitor the impact of these activities on the community at large. Participants of this workshop will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the programme and offer feedback that will help further implement the programme."