OSCE Police Reform Programme has helped Kyrgyzstan improve its police, Interior Minister says

BISHKEK, 26 May 2009 - The OSCE Centre in Bishkek's Police Reform Programme has helped Kyrgyzstan's police provide better service, Interior Minister Moldomusa Kongantiev said today during a meeting that reviewed the Programme's progress and looked at its future.

"The mission of the Kyrgyz Police is to maintain law and order in the country through quality policing that addresses the needs of citizens, society and the state. The implementation of the OSCE Police Reform Programme has raised the Kyrgyz Police Service to a new level of performance and helped win more trust of the population," Kongantiev said.

The meeting of the Programme's Executive Steering Committee brought together OSCE Centre representatives and officials from the Interior Ministry, the President's Administration and the non-governmental sector.

"The Steering Committee is a vital means to scrutinize and manage the diverse police reform programme so as to modernize and improve the national Police Service," said Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, the Head of the OSCE Centre.

"The participation of civil society representatives is a key aspect. The overarching goal is to support a Police Service that promotes respect for the Law, deters crime and inspires public trust."

During the meeting, the Interior Ministry presented its police reform strategy for the period of 2009-2012 and non-governmental organization representatives made statements, expressed views and offered suggestions.

The Committee has been meeting regularly since 2003, when the first OSCE Police Assistance Programme for Kyrgyzstan was launched.