Albania: ICITAP Joins Minister of Interior and General Director of Albanian State Police to Commemorate 18th Session of General Police Graduation

On February 7, at the invitation of the General Director of the Albanian State Police (ASP), ICITAP-Albania joined Government of Albania dignitaries and international law enforcement officials in recognition of the 18^th General Police patrol graduation held at Police Professional College, on the grounds of the Security Academy in Tirana.  The ceremony celebrated the conclusion of the nine-month long Professional Police College basic training; and the “swearing-in” of 386 new general police officers to the Albanian State Police. Concurrently dignitaries welcomed 400 new trainees as they begin their journey in the Professional Course for Policing and Excellence at the Police College. The graduation and oath ceremony were hosted by the General Director of the Albanian State Police.  Dignitaries included: The Honorable and Head of Parliamentary Commission for National Security, the Minister of Interior, the Senior Leader and Rector of the Security Academy, along with numerous senior police leaders from the State Police, Police College, and European Union Delegation.  The U.S. Embassy in Tirana was represented by the ICITAP-Albania Attaché. The Ceremony officiant (ASP General Director) opened the ceremony and congratulated the 386 trainees who completed the Police Professional College, marking their official start of their public service and law enforcement career in Albania.  The ASP General Director also welcomed the 400 new trainees who simultaneously began their basic training journey at the Police College, after a thorough, transparent, and objective competitive process. The General Director also welcomed 103 distinguished scholars to the State Police family, as they begin their post higher education journey at the Faculty of Security and Investigation, recognizing their scholarly attributes, advanced skills, and passing a rigorous competition. The ASP Director General and Rector of the Security Academy jointly highlighted the importance of international partnerships with the Security Academy and Police College, noting several training and education twinning projects with Italian Police, the United Kingdom, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia with the focus on training and exchange of experiences for police education. The high officials thanked the U.S. Department of Justice ICITAP program for their steadfast support and recognized EU4LEA, and the Police Academies in Italy, Germany, and Turkey who have continuously assisted in the professional development of Albanian State Police. The ASP Director General noted the Academy improvements over the years, with increased focus on improving Police College professional standards, education, and Crime Faculty talent at the Security Academy.  The ASP Director General outlined the vision for the ASP, through revitalization of the police force through active recruitment targeting young talent, increasing the level of professional skills to build new capacities and capability, and increasing the police force number of females withing the ranks of the ASP organization. The ASP Director General conveyed the importance of Security Academy accreditation, the demand for a professional and skilled teaching staff, and continued development and delivery of modern policing curricula, both in the basic school and Crime Faculty. The ASP Director General pointed out, that the new police trainees deserve realistic and demanding training and education to prepare them for the many demands and challenges they will face throughout their policing career. Minister of Interior Balla congratulated the new Police Officers and thanked the ASP and Security Academy faculty for preparing and training the new police   officers.  The Minister outlined the Albanian State Police transformation and reform process for the purpose of maintaining public order and safety. The Minister charged all the new officers to maintain the highest standards with uncompromised integrity, as they begin their service to the “People of Albania.” The Minister of Interior noted the significance of gaining and advancing public-trust with the Albanian citizenry, and noted ASP’s current public trust survey is above 70%. The Minister set a goal for the ASP to create and maintain the safest environment for all citizens safety and tourists throughout Albania. The Minister mentioned several financial incentives to recruit top talent for the future of the ASP, including first-time, interest-free hosing loans for public servants and their families. High officials collectively reminded the graduating police officers of their long rich history of 111 years of service to Albania; and the uniform worn by the new police officers signifying the traditions, generations of service, and heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The graduates were challenged to set clear objectives for themselves, with dedication, sacrifice and honesty, and professional integrity. The ceremony concluded with the “Oath of Duty” administered to the 18^th Session of “General Police Patrol.” Since 1998, the ICITAP mission in Albania has provided professional law enforcement expertise and training to the ASP and Security Academy. In furtherance of ICITAP 2024 Strategic Objective 4.7; Partner Organizations & Academic Institutions, ICITAP-Albania is partnering with ASP and the Security Academy on its path to IADLEST Accreditation. Media Reporting: https://youtu.be/hlvGDq1wYSw?si=olPZmLiIKecbZo-r; https://we.tl/t-s9e6YMfAvf