UNMIK/PR/70

Press Release

16 October 1999

SRSG Congratulates First Graduates of Kosovo Police Service School

PRISTINA - Special Representative of the Secretary General, Bernard Kouchner, today presented certificates to the first graduating class of the Kosovo Police Service School.

"This is indeed a historic day for Kosovo, and for the graduates and their families. The KPS School is the first police training school of its kind in the Balkans. The graduation of its first students is a great step toward a new and democratic local police service in Kosovo," said Kouchner at the graduation ceremony.  

The graduating class of 173 police officers included 17 members of ethnic minority groups and 39 women.

"Congratulations to these women and congratulations to all of you who have chosen this important work," Kouchner told the enthusiastic crowd. "A vital mantle for the future of Kosovo is being passed to you. With you lies the real possibility of a break from the past, from the hardship and intolerance that have prevailed for too long in Kosovo."

"A professional police officer does not care whether the person he or she helps is a Serb or an Albanian, a Bosniak, Roma or Turk. He or she just cares that the person receives the help that is needed. And he or she is willing to risk his or her own life to protect others," Kouchner continued.

He urged the graduates to set a high standard for those to follow them.

"Learn from the professional police officers from many countries who are now serving in Kosovo during these days of transition, and I want to thank all of them," he said.

Kouchner recognised the excellent cooperation between the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which is responsible for recruiting, selecting and training officers for the Kosovo Police Service.

He also expressed his appreciation for the leadership of Police Commissioner, Sven Frederiksen, and Director of OSCE Police Education and Development, Steve Bennett, in creating the school and recruiting the first class so quickly.