OSCE initiates public hearing on co-operation between police and communities in Kyrgyzstan

An OSCE-initiated and Kyrgyzstan Parliament-chaired public hearing on enhancing the co-operation between the police and communities on crime prevention in the Kyrgyz Republic was held on 25 June 2012 in Bishkek.

The aim of the event was to discuss the effectiveness and suggest ways for further improvement of Kyrgyzstan’s legislation on crime prevention. Conclusions from an independent assessment of the police work conducted by the Local Crime Prevention Centres were presented during the public hearing, and recommendations on future work were offered. The Centres established under the Police Reform Programme of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek bring together community volunteers, police and representatives of the local administration in order to more efficiently prevent crime and tackle issues related to the safety and well-being of local residents.

Addressing the forum, the Head of the OSCE Community Security Initiative, Ambassador Markus Mueller, said: “Local Crime Prevention Centres have a strong potential to engage communities and police in the joint and shared management of public security, including the prevention of conflicts and crimes. It is therefore necessary to create a solid legal foundation for the work of the Centres and guarantee their funding from national and local budgets."

Members of Parliament, representatives of the Government and the Presidential Administration, governors and mayors from all over the country, senior representatives of local and district authorities, police and public prevention centres, as well as other non-governmental organizations, took part at the meeting. As a result of the meeting, recommendations on improving co-operation among police, local authorities and communities were adopted, suggesting, in particular, stepping up work of about 600 Local Crime Prevention Centres operating in all regions of the republic.