OSCE Office conducts strategic planning workshop to support Tajikistan's police reform

DUSHANBE, 4 March 2011 – An OSCE-supported strategic planning workshop for 15 senior law enforcement commanders, held to support the country's police reform in line with democratic principles, ended today.

The OSCE Office in Tajikistan organized the one-week Police Reform Strategic Planning workshop for the commanders from all regions of Tajikistan at the Interior Ministry's request. The workshop, which formed part of the Office's work to assist the Ministry's reform initiative, focused on change management and included gender and human rights matters.

“It is crucial to help police managers develop the skills they need to respond to the security challenges posed by organized crime and terrorism,” said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, the Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan. “Together, we must work to enhance the police mandate and develop skills and structures so that the police service can better respond to the crime situation. Strengthening the relationship between citizens and the police also is a pre-requisite for a successful police reform.”

Two experienced police reform experts conducted the workshop in which participants identified what changes are needed in the current police mandate and structure and discussed how to create a strategic policing plan. Experts from the US Embassy facilitated a day on integrating community policing into strategic planning.

Workshop participants emphasized the importance of police-public partnerships and collaborative problem-solving to create safer communities.