OSCE Centre supports conference on police reform in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 17 April, 2009 - More than 150 experts and practitioners from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkey discussed reforming police in a democratic and legal state at an OSCE Centre-organized conference today to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry Police Academy.

Participants highlighted the need to improve police interaction with other law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. They made recommendations on how to make the police more professional and service oriented, as well as on elaborating legislation in the field of criminal policing and developing a national programme to combat drugs.

"The education and training that the police receive has a direct bearing on the quality of their professionalism and service-delivery to the public. The OSCE organized this conference to support consolidating and improving the content and direction of that education, drawing on a wide range of experience and views," said Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

"I welcome the close attention that the Interior Minister is giving to strengthening the co-operation and confidence between police and citizens, reflected in the Police Academy's work."

The final conference documents will be published in the Police Academy's newsletter, with support from the OSCE Centre, and will be distributed to police throughout the country. The conference was organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek as part of activities to strengthen the institutional, operational and educational capacities of the Kyrgyz police.