Public Servant Lifestyle

The start of the combined EU policing mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina saw 56 police officers from 34 different British forces volunteering for service in the region.

The Minister for Europe, Denis MacShane has welcomed the formal start of the European Union Police Mission (EUPM) - the first EU civilian crisis management operation initiated under the European Security and Defence Policy - in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In total the UK has contributed 56 police officers from 34 different police forces across the country - along with 9 civilian workers - to the mission. "The strong UK presence within the mission is testament to the professionalism and success of the UK's police officers" says Minister for Police, John Denham

Historic Occasion

Denis MacShane said: "I am delighted that the European Union Police Mission has successfully taken over from the International Police Task Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is an historic occasion - the first EU operation carried out under the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), an initiative launched by the Prime Minister and President Chirac in December 1998. A clear demonstration too of the EU's willingness to assume responsibility for a key element of security reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its continued commitment to the establishment there of the rule of law. I wish the mission every success."

Pictured (right): Foreign Office Minister, Bill Rammell met up with some of the British police officers destined for service with the EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bill Rammell, Foreign Office Minister responsible for global issues, echoed Mr MacShane's wishes and added: "The UK has made a significant contribution to EUPM. 56 UK police officers and 9 civilian personnel make up the UK contingent - 13% of the total force. I met some of the officers in November, and I was struck by their professionalism and commitment to the success of the mission. I am full of praise for the efforts of the International Police Task Force and the EUPM planning team. Their close cooperation has ensured a smooth handover."

Organised Crime

Home Office Minister for Police, John Denham, commented further, saying: "The European Union Police Mission will play a vital role in the ongoing work to bring stability to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Organised crime is an international problem and thrives where the rule of law is weak. By working hard to improve policing standards in Bosnia and by fighting organised crime at one of its sources we are also undermining the ability of criminals to export their crime to the UK. The strong UK presence within the mission is testament to the professionalism and success of the UK's police officers."

International Police Task Force

Every effort has been made to ensure that the transition of responsibility from the former International Police Task Force (IPTF) to the EUPM, was as smooth as possible. In the transition of responsibility there has also been a subtle change of emphasis in the mission mandate. Whereas the IPTF was working closely with police officers in the lower ranks of the local (BiH) Police Service, the EUPM is looking at reform at a more senior level within the Police Service as well as reform at a ministerial level. To achieve this, contributing countries have provided officers with experience of different policing fields to transfer skills and expertise to the BiH police service.

The UK contingent - of police officers from 34 UK constabularies - comprise over 13% of the total slots allocated to EU member states. All the police officers from the UK are volunteers and each has the full support of their respective Chief Constable. They will return to their home forces at the end of a 12-month tour of duty in the Balkan region.

Co-operation

All fifteen EU Member States are contributing personnel to the mission – which also includes officers from seventeen non-EU countries, including Canada, Switzerland, Turkey and many of those due to join the EU in 2004. In total there are around 500 European police officers and civilian staff making up the EUPM.

Bill Rammell met a selection of the British policemen and women heading off to Bosnia as part of the mission. Speaking at that meeting he said: "I am pleased to have had this opportunity to meet a selection of the British police who will make up the UK contingent to the EU Police Mission before they start their deployment to Bosnia. It is a testimony to the professionalism of our police officers that the UK will make up more than 13% of the manpower on this mission - the first civilian EU operation carried out under the European Security and Defence Policy.

International Problem

"Organised crime is an international problem, which thrives where the rule of law is weak. By helping to establish the rule of law in Bosnia and fighting organised crime at one of its sources, this mission is undermining the ability of criminals to export their crime to the UK. I wish the mission every success, and look forward to meeting again the men and women who have made up the UK contingent when they return to the UK."

The mission is carrying out monitoring, mentoring and inspection of existing police managerial and operational capacities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its aim is to assist in establishing a fully independent police institution in the region - with full respect for human rights - that can provide security to the society it serves. The EUPM took over from the ITPF and became operational as of the start of the year.

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