The leaders of the OSCE Law Enforcement Departments from Vienna and the countries of the region visited the Academy

Vushtrri, 19 April 2018 - A delegation comprised of leaders of the Department of Law Enforcement of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe from Vienna and from countries in the region such as Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania and Serbia visited the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety (KAPS) where they were welcomed by the Director General Ismail Smakiqi. The purpose of the visit was to get acquainted more closely with the work, developments in the Academy.

General Director of the Academy Ismail Smakiqi wishing welcome to the delegation informed them about the developments of the Academy and its history.

Director Smakiqi said that the Academy will always be grateful to all those who have supported and still support the Academy in its development. "Always thankful to the OSCE and ICITAP. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is part of the Academy's history since its founding and so far, which continues to support in all areas of training, as well as through numerous donations", said Smakiqi, informing  the delegation to the achievements of the Academy such as the opening of the Faculty of Public Safety, international cooperation and the participation of the Academy in associations of European and international police colleges.

Meanwhile during the meeting Smakiqi director also informed the delegation about the project which aims to improve education in security institutions.

Speaking about the importance of education, Smakiqi informed the delegation about the accreditation of the Academy and its programs as well as about the process of accreditation by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) from US.

Meanwhile, the delegation during the visit was interested in the processes through which the Academy has passed and it is going through, as well as on the trainings that take place at the Academy.

Guy Vinet Head of the Strategic Police Matters Unit in the OSCE headquarters in Vienna, Austria was pleased with the visit to the Academy, and also encouraged  director Smakiqi for achievements.

Vinet evaluated that the Academy plays the leading role between genuine trainings, so that a police officer can be successful. "Police training is very important. Police are the public and the public is the police, so to succeed we have to work together with the people", said Vinet. Vinet talked about the project, which as he said is very important for law enforcement.

"To achieve the goal and good work, should cooperate and work as a team", said Vinet.

Ake Roghe, Director of the Department for Public Order and Security in the OSCE during the meeting said that the Academy is very important for the country.

"He thanked the Academy for the good work they do, Director Smakiqi and the whole team. The Academy has an important role in capacity building for the police", said Roghe.

Roghe assessed that the Kosovo Police is one of the best police in the region said that all this is the merit of the Academy.

Rogh also spoke about the involvement of women in the ranks of the Kosovo Police, saying that it is very important that the police have even more women.