OSCE launches Romanian version of guide on building trust between police and Roma

The Romanian version of an OSCE manual on good practices in building trust and understanding between police and Roma and Sinti communities was launched at a meeting in Romania’s parliament on 8 July 2011.

The Manual on Police and Roma and Sinti: Good practices in building trust and understanding was developed by the OSCE Strategic Police Matters Unit and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to assist participating States in improving relations between the police and Roma and Sinti communities.

“The manual contains many good practices and tools that can be used in the day-to-day work of the Romanian police,” said Knut Dreyer, the OSCE’s Senior Police Adviser.

Andrzej Mirga, ODIHR’s Senior Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues, said: “There is a need for a change in attitudes and perceptions, both of Roma by the police and of the police by Roma. Overcoming mutual suspicions and stereotypes is a precondition for building trust and improving relations.”

He noted that among the most effective measures is increasing the representation of Roma in the police forces.

The launch event was organized with the Interior Ministry and the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police and brought together some 70 parliamentarians, officials from several ministries, representatives of relevant police structures, and non-governmental organizations. Discussions focused on police education, recruiting and retaining Roma police officers, and building trust between the police and Roma communities.