BCSP’s statement: Citizens have the right to suggest the improvement of police work

Ministry of interior (MOI) has issued a statement on 26th November 2015, in which is stated that Belgrade Centre for Security policy (BCSP) made a number of false statements on the draft of the law on police. The statement was signed by Amadeo Watkins, special adviser to the Minister, and was released several hours after the presentation of BCSP’s research on police integrity and responsibility.

The polemics of state representatives with the civil society organization based on charges for “biased” criticism, narrows the right of CSOs to participate in the discussion of matters of public concern such is the responsibility of the police.

This is the third time this year that Watkins, as MOI representative, critics through media BCSP’s proposals to improve the Law on police and police work, without any invitation to dialogue.

The only interest of BCSP is to, by conducting independent research and by giving constructive suggestions, contribute to strengthening the integrity and police responsibility. Behind the report “Assessment of police integrity in Serbia,” are 18 years of BCSP’s experience in research of security sector reform, and in-depth monitoring of police work. Findings from the research are based on an analysis of documents, consultations with employees at the Interior Ministry (October 15th  and  November 25th, 2015) and the police unions (October 16th and 24th,  2015).

Attached you shall find BCSP’s answers to questions Amadeo Watkins has asked in his statement.