PRC Declaration

Police Restructuring Commission Povjerenstvo za restruktuiranje policije Komisija za restruktuiranje policije Комисија за реструктуирање полиције

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Police Restructuring Commissionmet in Brussels on 28 October 2004at the Institutions of the European Union and presented this Declaration to the European Commissioner for External Relations H.E. Chris Patten and the Secretary-General of the Council of the EU and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, H.E. Javier Solana.

DECLARATION

“The Police Restructuring Commission reaffirms its commitment to fulfill its mandate to propose a single structure of policing for Bosnia and Herzegovina under the overall political oversight of a ministry or ministries in the Council of Ministers as referred to in the Decision of the High Representative establishing the Police Restructuring Commission of 2 July 2004 and in accordance with the principles outlined in said Decision.

Recognizing the importance of a safe and secure environment for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an essential condition for joining the family of democratic European countries, the Police Restructuring Commission acknowledges the importance of its work in the context of the Report of the Commission of the European Communities of 18 November 2003 on the Preparedness of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Negotiate a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union. 

The Police Restructuring Commission is further guided, in its work, by the Decision on the Principles, Priorities and Conditions Contained in the European Partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovinaadopted by the Council of the European Union in June 2004 and understands its implications for police restructuring in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Of all governmental functions, the police are one of the most visible and closely connected services to the citizens.  The Police Restructuring Commission believesit essential that policing in Bosnia and Herzegovina is professional, effective, efficient, fair, apolitical, and impartial.  Policing must be accountable to the law and to the community, and must be representative of the society it serves.  We are determined to ensure that it is.

The Police Restructuring Commission further believes that policing in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be capable of maintaining law and order including responding effectively to crime and to public order problems.  Police should deliver a policing service, in constructive and inclusive partnerships with the community at all levels and strive to win public trust and acceptance.  This is our aim.”