OSCE Mission encourages public to use Kosovo police inspectorate

The OSCE Mission and the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo launched a public information campaign on 12 December 2011 promoting the inspectorate’s oversight role and police accountability.

The inspectorate works independently from the police and investigates allegations of police misconduct. The campaign calls on the public to report any potential complaints about police work to the inspectorate and notes that all communication between the public and the inspectorate will be kept confidential.

“The message is simple: if anybody feels mistreated by the police, or has seen police officers act inappropriately, they have the right to complain,” said Ambassador Werner Almhofer, the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

“This right is guaranteed to all regardless of their gender or ethnicity. I must note, however, that control mechanisms, such as the police inspectorate, do not function without the public’s involvement. It is of paramount importance for the public to use such mechanisms, to report what they perceive as wrong, and by doing so to help improve the accountability of the institutions.”

From June to November 2011, the police inspectorate received 113 complaints alleging police misconduct. Based on those complaints, 42 charges were raised and 8 indictments confirmed.

The OSCE Mission helped establish the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo in 2006. It has since supported the inspectorate through training, on-the-job coaching, and assistance in the creation of a legal framework. It now provides technical support to the institution.

The campaign will run for two weeks. It includes TV and radio spots and billboards in Albanian and Serbian.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with human right protection and promotion, democracy building and public safety development. It assists the further development of public safety agencies and their training units.