RAMALLAH, May 21, 2011 (WAFA) - EUPOL COPPS’s Police Advisory Section and the PCP’s Police Security and Discipline Department co-hosted a two-day seminar to share best practice in oversight and accountability in policing, and to discuss how to enhance the PCP current oversight system, according to an EUPOL COPPS press release issued Friday.

Specifically in focus during this seminar was the Swedish oversight model. The Commissioner for Internal Affairs of the Swedish National Police and the Chief Prosecutor at Sweden’s Attorney General’s Office made three presentations, sharing their experiences regarding investigations and the respective legal proceedings in their country.

The seminar was opened by the Deputy Chief of Police, Brig. Gen. Jihad Al-Museimi, and by EUPOL COPPS’s Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Jesper Friedrichsen, who in his introductory remarks emphasized that: “It is mandatory for any police service to have a strong and trustful relationship with the citizens and the democratic institutions. Human rights must always be respected, and the public must have trust in the security institutions responsible for overseeing that policing is conducted according to the Rule of Law”.

Also the Head of the Police Security and Discipline Department, Lt. Col. Mahmoud Al-Diek, made a presentation, followed by EUPOL COPPS’ Human Rights Adviser, Ms. Diane Halley. There were also interventions from the Head of the Democracy and Human Rights Unit at the Ministry of Interior, the Head of the PCP’s Bureau for Grievances and Human Rights, the Head of PCP Inspectorate General’s Office as well as representatives from the Military Justice and from the Military Prosecution.

The Independent Commission for Human Rights, the National Palestinian Ombudsman’s Office, who play a significant role in overseeing the PCP and other security forces, also participated actively in this seminar.

During her intervention, the EUPOL COPPS human rights advisor highlighted that: “We have seen progress within the PCP in the sphere of accountability and we have been happy to support the PCP in various human rights and oversight initiatives which we pursue together”.

Outlining best practice which was shared with the PCP during a study-trip to Ireland at the end of last year, she also emphasised the importance of external and independent police complaints mechanisms in parallel to internal oversight as it will always be difficult for a citizen to truly accept and have trust in the police investigating themselves.

Besides developing an oversight and accountability system and respecting Human Rights the seminar had the goal of providing some practical recommendations, such as: to promote the competency level of the PCP’s Security and Discipline Department’s staff, to organize similar workshops in the near future and to enhance the relationship with the other PCP bodies including the Bureau for Grievances and Human Rights and the Inspectorate General with institutions (ICHR and Human Rights NGOs) working in this field.

The seminar also served as an opportunity for the PCP’s Security and Discipline Department to present a new brochure including its Code of Conduct. This brochure, which was produced with EUPOL COPPS’ support, will be distributed publicly soon. It also summarizes the need to respect Human Rights, the ethics and values of the police and the expected standards of behavior, as well as provides an explanation of the role of the Police Security and Discipline Department.

According to this code of conduct, the PCP shall carry out its tasks and duties in accordance with national and international standards in order to serve the people by enforcing the law. The police officers shall work in a professional, transparent and accountable manner, always respecting the dignity of the people and human rights.

M.A.