UNMIK/PR/39

Press Release

3 September 1999

PRISTINA - The United Nations Mission in Kosovo has completed the selection process for the first class of 200 students for the Kosovo Police Service School, marking a important step for local policing in the territory.

"This is a building block for the future of policing in Kosovo," said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK Bernard Kouchner. "It shows how far we’ve come in working with Kosovars to rebuild institutions - institutions that will lead us to a stable and secure Kosovo."

More than 19,550 applications were reviewed through a screening and vetting procedure and more than 400 applicants were interviewed and background checked. From among these applicants, 200 were selected for the first class to enter the Kosovo Police Service School, operated by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). UNMIK Police, in conjunction with the OSCE, evaluated the applicants based on a number of criteria, including their understanding of democratic and humane policing concepts, and their ability to be fair and impartial when dealing with police situations.

"The four-week vetting process was public and transparent," said UNMIK Police Commissioner Sven Frederiksen. "Candidates were considered on their individual merits to ensure the best possible quality of future police officers." He emphasized that the candidates and their backgrounds would continue to be scrutinized during the training process.

UNMIK solicited comments on the list of candidates from many persons and interested groups. Concerns about individual applicants were addressed and many applications have been held for future consideration.

The first class of trainees range in age from 20 to 45; 20 percent are female and over half have a university education. 83 per cent are Kosovo Albanian, 13 per cent are Kosovo Serb and 4 per cent are from other minorities. Twelve percent of the trainees are former Kosovo police officers that were forced out of their jobs when Kosovo was stripped of its autonomous status by the Yugoslav Government. The geographical breakdown is: 27 from Gnjilane, 30 from Mitrovica, 28 from Pec, 89 from Pristina, 26 from Prizren.

A substantial number of former UCK soldiers have qualified for the police force on the basis of their individual merit, added Commissioner Frederiksen. That representation reflects highly on the qualifications and distinction of the UCK soldiers.

Candidates will enter the Kosovo Police Service School next week. Classes will be given by international OSCE trainers.