OSCE Mission in Kosovo helps promote community policing

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 14 November 2011 - The OSCE Mission and Kosovo police launched a public information campaign today promoting a new approach to community policing.

The campaign, dubbed “Get to know your police officer”, calls on the public to work with recently-established neighbourhood patrols and to raise their security concerns with their designated police officers.

“I welcome this improved concept of community policing. Neighbourhood patrols will now work directly with residents to improve their safety and prevent crime in local communities,” said Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Edward Joseph.

“The patrols should help address in particular the concerns of communities that represent a numerical minority in a given municipality by establishing direct links between the community and the police. It should also lead to greater protection of human rights.”

The OSCE Mission has been helping to develop community policing in Kosovo since 2006. It has also helped establish local and municipal safety forums that will now include neighbourhood patrol members.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with human rights protection and promotion, democracy building and public safety development.