This week, the Chief of EULEX International Police Cooperation Unit, Vincenzo Cardinale together with the Data Protection and Data Security Officers from the Directorate for International Cooperation in the Rule of Law of Kosovo Police (ILECU), went to Stockholm for a study visit trip to the International Affairs Division of Swedish Police. This institution acts as the Single Point of Contact for Interpol, Europol and Sirene in Sweden.

The main focus of the visit was to strengthen Kosovo Police ILECU executive capacity in order to enhance its operational performance, particularly when focusing on Data Protection and Data Security perspectives. Strong emphasis was also given to getting the KP officers familiarised with the new regulations regarding the handling of information, exchange of information, interoperability of databases and case management system used by European law enforcements and institutions. 

On this occasion, Mr. Vincenzo Giancarlo Cardinale, Chief of EULEX International Police Cooperation Unit stated that: “The realization of international cooperation will not be possible without strong ties between different nationalities. The implementation of the best practices by law enforcement and international cooperation and coordination will result in a mutual benefit to stop information gaps and reduce the space where criminals can operate between Kosovo and European Union Member States. The Officers that attended this study visit in Sweden will be the cornerstone of accountability for Data Protection and Data Security within Kosovo Police ILECU and they will provide full authoritative advice in their field of expertise”. 

During the week, KP officers were trained and advised by EU MS Interpol and Europol national experts about the most common challenges related to the international police cooperation and how to deal efficiently with them.

The importance of the training was also highlighted by Lt. Vedat Sherifi, Kosovo Police: “This study visit has been very useful and fruitful for future developments of Kosovo Police and it equipped us with an immense beneficial knowledge that we will be able to cascade over ILECU’s colleagues”. 

Furthermore, the training included a visit to the central Police Station in Stockholm, with the aim to observe as the International Case Officer deployed within the Police Station works aside to the investigators.