150 Serbian police officers graduate after completing OSCE-supported training programme

SREMSKA KAMENICA, Serbia, 31 October 2008 - Some 150 police officers were awarded diplomas at a graduation ceremony at the Basic Police Training Centre in Sremska Kamenica today.

The Trainer Development Programme included courses on training skills, curriculum development and trainer evaluation. The programme was conducted by Interior Ministry trainers who previously completed the same programme supported by the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

Letters of appreciation were given to trainers who delivered courses for Field Training Officers and Field Training Co-ordinators. The graduates will play a key role in the future consolidation of the newly established basic police training.

"The graduation of the National Police Trainers is a significant step towards the long-term sustainability of the reform efforts that the Interior Ministry has been working on with the support and assistance of the OSCE Mission," said Tor Tanke Holm, the Head of the Mission's Law Enforcement Department.

Janos Kopas, Head of the Directorate for professional education, training, professional enhancement and science, added: "We are proud to work closely with our partner, the OSCE Mission, in developing democratic policing, a measure that will affect all aspects of police work in the communities of Serbia."

The newly certified police officers will be involved in developing and implementing in-service and specialized training programmes within the Interior Ministry's organizational units and the police districts.

Since the start of the programme in 2003, more than 500 officers have completed the courses within the Trainer Development Programme.