The OSCE Presence in Albania

Background

Based on its mandate, the OSCE Presence in Albania (PiA) assists the Albanian State Police (ASP) with a notable focus on the Border and Migration Police (BMP). In 2012, the PiA supported the police through its Security Co-operation Department (SCD) staffed with 2 internationals and 4 nationals.

Assistance was provided through a broad range of activities within a co-ordinated framework with other international actors. The PiA actively participated in the International Consortium, the main forum gathering international and national organizations for co-ordinating criminal justice and police assistance. The Presence provided various training courses and technical support on the development of relevant legislation and official strategies.

Training and other Capacity Building Activities

One of the most important reform activities during the past few years was related to the improvement of police training. However, the Internal Control Service of the Ministry of Interior (ICS), as well as the ASP and BMP, still required assistance in some areas. In 2012, activities therefore included:

- The continuation of a Professional Development Programme, in co-operation with the International Police Association; Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany; the Scottish Police College and the French National Police. Training given in this area included leadership and management training for 1^st line managers; equality and diversity training; child victim/witness interviewing techniques; training for dog handlers; and the development of a Master’s scholarship programme for young managers, in co-operation with Ruhr-Universität Bochum;

- A strategic assessment of the State Police Anti-Explosives Unit;

- The development of an Offender Electronic Monitoring Programme to assist both police and the Albanian Criminal Justice system;

- A strategic assessment of the Municipal and Commune Police;

- A community policing initiative focusing on domestic violence; and

- Various activities connected with the continued development of the integrated border management process, the exchange of information between neighbouring countries and the development of Joint Information Exchange Centres.

In total 15 trainings were delivered to the ASP.

Border and Migration Police

The PiA continued providing sustained capacity building assistance to the Albanian BMP, aimed at improving cross-border co-operation between Albania and neighbouring countries.

This included a comprehensive set of activities – from training of BMP officials and the provision of equipment (e.g. biometric passport readers, etc.), to supporting joint exchange of information with fellow border police bodies and, in general, operational synergies that further border security co-operation and contribute to tackling transnational crime.

The Presence, for instance, facilitated and participated in bi-monthly joint meetings between the Albanian Border Police and fellow police bodies from neighbouring countries (mainly the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro). Such meetings help to expand the exchange of information and to identify training needs.

In May, the PiA organized a joint training between border police officers from Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The training focused on specimen Albanian biometric passports and ID cards. Trainees (30 in total) came from Gorica, Tushemisht and Qafe Thana Border Crossing Points.

In terms of practical deliverables, the Presence played a crucial role in the establishment of a Joint Information Exchange Centre between Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – from conception to the training of officers and the provision of equipment.

Building on this positive project, the Presence also supported similar projects related to the establishment of additional Centres of this kind across the region, particularly with regard to Montenegro (in partnership with the OSCE Mission to Montenegro) and Greece.

Trafficking in Human Beings

In 2012, in line with the relevant PC Decision No. 1049, the Presence supported the enhancement of law enforcement agencies’ capacities, with a particular focus on improving co-operation among all stakeholders and agencies in the area of trafficking in labour exploitation – which, in spite of evidence pointing to upward trends, remained inadequately addressed. For instance, at the institutional level, some of the activities led by the Presence included the establishment of co-operation with the State Labour Inspectorate and the Police Migration Directorate; the organization of seminars for labour inspectors, anti-trafficking and border police, and social services; and the development of information leaflets on migration and anti-trafficking, distributed at the Centre for Irregular Migrants and border crossing points.

Secondly, the Presence, in co-operation with state agencies and NGOs, continued to promote the protection of witnesses and victims of trafficking. In 2012, the Presence provided funding to local NGOs which run shelters for victims of trafficking. This included the provision of counselling and basic living support for 37 victims of trafficking.

Drug Trafficking

The PiA, in partnership with other international actors, has long been involved in the improvement of the Albanian State Police’s capacities to fight drug trafficking (in particular cannabis), a fundamental problem in Albania and the broader region. This has included, for instance, the improvement of border controls and provision of relevant training to police, against a backdrop of institutional weaknesses in terms of intelligence management, training deficiencies and procedural problems. In 2012 alone, the Presence contributed significantly to the State Police’s achievements in the recovery of over 7 tons of cannabis, produced in Albania and intended to be trafficked out of the country. The Presence continued working with the State Police and other partners to overcome identified weaknesses – e.g.

intelligence-gathering on operations against organized crime.

Criminal Investigations

In 2012, the Presence supported the ASP with several training and capacity building activities which dealt with investigation skills development. The Presence co-operated with and supported the TNTD/ATU in introducing Albanian ministries to the Public Key Directory (PKD) system for biometric passport certification. Follow-up activities and projects were envisaged to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives.

Cybercrime

The Presence also made efforts to upgrade the Albanian State Police’s capacities for combating cybercrime, an area where progress has unfortunately been rather scarce given budgetary constraints and other structural limitations. As an example, in 2012 the Presence co-operated with and supported the TNTD/SPMU in delivering forensic computing software and training to the State Police.

Counter-Terrorism

The Presence worked to address capacity shortcomings in areas such as intelligence gathering and training weaknesses. Improving cross-border co-operation was another issue of importance. In addition, the Presence undertook comprehensive reviews of different operational capacities (e.g. the Albanian Fire and Rescue Service, State Police Anti-Explosives Unit) in order to identify potential weaknesses in the event of terrorist incidents – e.g. lack of training and/or equipment, an unclear legal framework and the absence of safe operating procedures, etc. Building on this work and in co-operation with other international partners, the Presence intended to continue its involvement in related follow-up projects, some of which might include elements of horizontal co-operation with other regional OSCE FOs in the future.

Corruption

During 2012, the Presence continued its work with the Ministry of Interior Internal Control Service to reduce instances of police corruption. As part of this process, training and developmental opportunities were provided for agents involved in covert operations. The experts for this training were provided by Italy, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Presence and the Department of Public Security of the Ministry of the Interior of the Italian Republic in April 2012.

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