OSCE supports seminar on fostering police integrity in Montenegro

Recent developments and strategic priorities in fostering police integrity in Montenegro was the topic of the OSCE-supported seminar held on 1 December 2015 in Podgorica, which brought together 50 participants from state institutions, civil society, media and international organizations.   

Organized by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and the OSCE Mission in Montenegro, in close co-operation with the Interior Ministry and the Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Security, the seminar also focused on the topics of human resources management and the professional development of police.

“The role of media and civil society is important due to their participation and commitment to continuously contribute to the initiation of dialogue and strengthening accountability in the security sector,” said Mevludin Nuhodžić, Chairperson of the Security and Defence Committee of the Montenegrin Parliament. “Only through building both the individual and institutional integrity of the police, can we talk about increasing transparency, improving accountability and strengthening public confidence.”

Dan Redford, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, reiterated the Mission’s strong commitment to advocating fostering police and security sector integrity policies. “Integrity is the value grounding moral requirements, as well as a concept of honesty, dignity, ethical behaviour and, of course, professionalism.”

Paolo Costa, Head of DCAF’s Police Programme, emphasized the role of functional human resources management systems in sustaining the integrity in a police organization.

This seminar was part of the OSCE-supported activities aimed at promoting multi-stakeholder dialogue on key issues relating to police integrity.