OSCE Presence and U.S. Justice Department donate equipment to support Albanian Police professional development

TIRANA, 14 January 2011 - Two machines for electronic scoring of exams by police officers were handed over to the Albanian State Police by the OSCE Presence in Albania and the United States' International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) today.

“Professional police is essential to the development of the country’s law enforcement system,” said Jack Bell, the Head of the OSCE Presence’s Security Co-operation Department. “These machines will be used in assessing examinations taken by police students and officers and will help to select staff in a more accurate, modern, and transparent manner.”

The new Scantron equipment will enable all students and officers to have their exams assessed on the spot at the Police Personnel and Education Directorates, and to receive their score immediately after taking the tests.

Gary Bullard, Program Manager of the U.S. Department of Justice’s ICITAP, said: “The U.S. Embassy, through ICITAP, is pleased to support the Albanian State Police in its efforts to promote transparency and efficiency in the promotional and hiring procedures.”

The donation is part of a continuing effort by the OSCE Presence and ICITAP to assist the Albanian State Police in their modernization efforts. The goal is to promote professionalism and improve the quality of the service provided to the citizens of Albania.