North Macedonia: ICITAP Attends Police Graduation with Nearly 15% Female Officers

On August 31, ICITAP-North Macedonia’s Attaché attended the graduation ceremony for 528 graduates, which included 75 women, from the Police Training Center. Guest speakers included the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia. The Prime Minister stated "I am convinced that the training has prepared you to perform your duties as best as possible. Every task you will take will be important because it is in the service of protection and in the service of the citizens…” The Head of the Police Training Center formally recognized the top 10 students, who have the right to choose their first assignment within the Public Security Bureau.  The closing of the ceremony included each officer taking the Police Oath verbally and physically placing his/her signature on the oath. In comparison, the percentage of women in law enforcement in the United States is 12%, while in the European Union, women in law enforcement makes up 21%. ICITAP’s support of the National Police of North Macedonia is conducted with the support of and in coordination with the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).