RAMALLAH, March 5, 2010 (WAFA)- EUPOL COPPS new Head of Mission, Commissioner Henrik Malmquist, visited the Palestinian Special Police Forces (SPF) HQs on Thursday, in Ramallah.

Accompanying Mr Malmquist were Mr Juha Auvinen, Head of Unit at the European Commission in Brussels (Unit A3-CFSP Operations DG Relex), Ms Cristiana Famea, EUPOL COPPS Desk Officer in the European Commission and Mr Jean Frederic Martin, Specialist Police Adviser.

Major Ismael Hanaysheh, Chief of the Trainer Cell/SPF Central Force Ramallah and Lieutenant Colonel Medhat HIDJO briefed the EU Delegation on the role of the SPF. Several demonstrations on tactics learned from EUPOL COPPS (tonfa, handcuffs) were also performed.

The SPF is composed of 1300 officers deployed in 9 Units in all the West Bank. EUPOL COPPS has refurbished 6 SPF units, equipped this force with 900 kits for Public Order, 258 lockers, laminated city maps, training equipment and have also trained 32 SPF trainers.  The European Commission donated 36 VW Crafter vehicles to this Unit in 2009.

The aim of the Mission is to contribute to the establishment of sustainable and effective policing arrangements and to advise Palestinian counterparts on Criminal Justice and Rule of Law related aspects under Palestinian ownership, in accordance with the best international standards and in co-operation with the EU Institution-building programmes conducted by the European Commission and with other international efforts in the wider context of the Security Sector, including Criminal Justice Reform.