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 2013, the PiA supported the police through its Security Co-operation Department (SCD) staffed with three internationals and four 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 PiA 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 Internal Affairs (MoIA), as well as the ASP and BMP, still required assistance in some areas.

In 2013, activities therefore included:

- The continuation of a Professional Development Programme, in co-operation with the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany. Training given in this area included leadership and management training for 73 1st line and middle managers; equality and diversity training; the continuing development of a Master’s scholarship programme for young managers, in co-operation with Ruhr-Universität Bochum; Camouflage Surveillance training for Police Special Forces; and training for Police prior to the National Elections taking place.

- A strategic assessment of the State Police Education system;

- A strategic assessment of the Police Media Strategy;

- 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; and

- A national workshop for the Anti-Trafficking Police, Prosecution Offices and Judges on the Investigation and Prosecution of the Human Trafficking Offences.

In total 18 training courses 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 to supporting the 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 PiA, 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 helped to expand the exchange of information and identify training needs.

In May-June, the PiA organized a joint training between border police officers from Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as well as between Albania and Kosovo.

The training focused on the newly established Common Police Cooperation Centres which were the first of this kind in the region. The training was conceived in two days, with one theoretical and one practical part. Trainees were familiarized with the Agreements of the Centres, the working protocol and regulation, as well as with the forms and procedures to be used during their daily routine. Best practices from similar European Centres were brought and shared with the trainees.

During 2013, the PiA concluded two rounds of “Leadership and Management Training” for 50 1^st line managers operating as station commanders and shift leaders, as part of the greater Leadership programme being implemented by the PiA. At the same time, three rounds of one-week training on and the evaluation of the implementation of international border control procedures, were undertaken. Implemented by Albanian experts/evaluators, who were accompanied by a German expert, hired by the PiA, participants visited several pre-selected Border Crossing Points to assess the implementation of border control procedures, identify shortcomings and propose concrete recommendations.

Trafficking in Human Beings

Throughout 2013, the PiA supported policy-making, capacity building and awareness-raising in the field of anti-trafficking in Albania and pioneered new anti-trafficking approaches.

Preventing forced labour through strengthened co-ordination and capacity building has been a priority of the Presence’s activities since 2011 when the work of migration authorities and NGOs pointed towards cases of foreign nationals potentially exploited into forced labour in Albania. The PIA held country-wide training for labour inspectors on the identification of trafficking for labour exploitation and worked with the State Labour Inspectorate to adopt guidelines for the identification of trafficking for labour exploitation.

On 17 April, the PiA, in co-operation with the TNTD/SPMU, organized an experts’ seminar in Tirana on financial investigation and seizure of criminal assets related to different forms of human trafficking for Albanian police, prosecutors, judges and financial investigators. The ground-breaking seminar served as a platform for the development of recommendations to enable financial investigations in human trafficking cases.

To improve the legislation and policy framework in the field of anti-trafficking, the PiA provided comments to the anti-trafficking provisions amending the Albanian Criminal Code and launched the development of the Guidelines for the Protection of Children in Street Situations. The PiA also participated in a working group on the analysis of human trafficking cases, established by the MoIA. The working group’s recommendations and the amended Criminal Code provisions were introduced at a national workshop for anti-trafficking police, judges and prosecutors.

Drug Trafficking

The PiA, in partnership with other international actors, has long been involved in the improvement of the ASP’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 2013 alone, the PiA contributed significantly to the State Police’s achievements through the delivery of specialised “Camouflage Surveillance Training” to eight officers from the Surveillance Unit attached to the Police Special Forces.

This training was delivered by experts from Northern Ireland and was later accredited for the first time, by the Institute of Leadership and Management in the UK. The PiA continued working with the ASP and other partners to overcome identified weaknesses – e.g.

intelligence-gathering on operations against organized crime.

Criminal Investigations

In 2013, the PiA supported the ASP with several training and capacity building activities which dealt with investigation skills development. Follow-up activities and projects were envisaged to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives.

Counter-Terrorism

The PiA worked to address capacity shortcomings in areas such as intelligence gathering and training weaknesses. Improving cross-border co-operation was another issue of importance. The appointment of a new adviser in 2013, tasked to focus on serious organized crime and terrorism was expected to be of great assistance to the ASP.

Corruption

During 2013, the PiA continued its work with the MoIA’s Internal Control Service to reduce instances of police corruption. As part of this process, training and developmental opportunities were provided for ten agents involved in covert operations (by experts from Italy).

Investigation Interviewing

Ten agents received training on investigative interviewing of witnesses and suspects, assisted by experts from the UK.

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