UNMIK/PR/1273
PRISTINA – The DSRSG for Police and Justice, Jean-Christian Cady, today presided over a handover ceremony of station-level command at Orahovac/Rahovec Police Station from the international police to the Kosovo Police Service.
Addressing a gathering of international and local police officers, KFOR, OSCE, representatives of communities and religious institutions in the municipality, the DSRSG said: “With increased presence of local police, who enjoy the confidence of the population, the crime rate has gone down dramatically. From the perspective of the international community, the increased role of KPS is essential to the continued progress of Kosovo towards a democratic society.”
Orahovac/Rahovec is the 18th police station in Kosovo to be transferred to KPS command. The police station has 99 Kosovo Police Service officers including two lieutenants and 10 sergeants. There are 25 international police officers serving at the station. With today’s transition, international police officers in the station will remain only in a monitoring and mentoring capacity.
Hailing the event as an important step towards empowerment of the KPS, DSRSG Cady said: “Through the 12 coming months, all police stations in Kosovo will come under the Kosovo Police Service command. And progressively in regional headquarters and in the central headquarters in Pristina, all police functions will be performed by Kosovars, including the administration of police. This progressive hand over is a recognition of the increasing competence of KPS officers.”
Among others, UNMIK Police Commissioner Mr. Kai Vittrup, Colonel Sheremet Ahmeti from the KPS and President of the Orahovac/Rahovec Municipal Assembly, Mr. Esat Haxhijaha, also addressed the ceremony.