Albania: ICITAP Training and Assistance Helps Police Curb Violence During Protests

On June 5, ICITAP reported on the Albanian State Police (ASP) use of ICITAP equipment and training to successfully avoid escalation of violence during protests in 2019. The ASP used equipment and training provided by the ICITAP Public Order Evidence Gathering course during seven protest events between February and June 2019. Despite attempts by protestors to provoke a violent police response, the ASP were able to avoid direct confrontation while retaining the ability to bring charges against protestors who broke the law. They used high-definition video and still photography equipment provided by ICITAP, along with audio recording devices to document illegal actions as they occurred, and refrained from attempting to make arrests during the protests.  Based on the recorded evidence, ASP investigators were able to identify criminal acts and their authors and arrest them later.  This strategy, learned during extensive practical training provided by ICITAP, avoided escalation of protest violence and helped ensure officer safety while ensuring the arrest of more than 150 offenders. Members of the Public Order Evidence Gathering teams from the Tirana, Shkoder, and Fier Rapid Reaction Forces participated in the ASP responses to the protests. Assistance and training is provided with the support of and in coordination with the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).