OSCE helps build trust between police and young people in Armenian regions

A dialogue between the police and young people supported by the OSCE office will take place on 21 and 22 March 2013 in the city of Vanadzor and the village of Arevashogh in Lori province in northern Armenia.

The events are organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan together with the Armenian Police and the non-governmental organization National Centre for Legal Researches and seek to help juveniles and students understand how the police functions, and how they can better work together.

Lilian Salaru, the Politico-Military Officer of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, said: “Strengthening the police-public relations is one of the priorities of democratic policing, which builds a foundation for trust and co-operation. It is however a complex process, which takes time, effort and goodwill. We believe that better communication and co-operation between the police and the public will further help promote democratic policing practices, including community policing and public order management.”

During the first day experts will speak with some 30 high-school pupils in the Arevashogh village school. The children will learn about day-to-day activities of the police officers, will discuss with them the challenges of their work, and local security situation. Experts will also speak about drug addiction, trafficking in human beings, corruption and the community policing model.

On the second day 25 students from higher education institutions in Vanadzor will discuss community policing, outlining the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved and identifying the perspectives and challenges of good co-operation.

This project is part of the OSCE Office’ engagement and support of police reform in Armenia including a multi-year project to introduce community-based policing.