OSCE encourages stronger ties between police, media, civil society

PanARMENIAN.Net - Discussing the current developments in the Armenian police reform and assessing the level of cooperation between the police and the public are among the topics of a two-day roundtable meeting launched Friday, May 23, in Tsaghkadzor, Kotayq province of Armenia.

The event organized by the Armenian Police together with the OSCE Office in Yerevan brings together some 40 representatives of the press and public information office of the Police, media and civil society to evaluate the progress in the interaction between the police and the media, and to suggest ways to enhance partnership.

“Public trust is the main criterion of evaluating police performance in today’s democratic society. The police, functioning in isolation, without public support, cannot effectively prevent crimes, secure people’s safety and maintain public order,” said ambassador Andrey Sorokin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “Today’s discussion will contribute to better understanding between the police and public.”

The roundtable meeting participants will also discuss the recent developments in the Police. Particular focus will be placed on community policing and public order management, know-how transfer and the ways of overcoming existing challenges, as well as reinforcing best international practices in the field of democratic policing practices.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan continues to assist the Armenian Police in enhancing democratic policing principles and practices in the areas of community policing, educational reform, public order management and police-media-public cooperation.