Qalaj warns deep reforms in police early next year

For Periscope, Qalaj has indicated what his priorities will be as director of the Kosovo Police.

Every director has his priorities. My priorities have to do with the inner plain, review the organisational structure, then the question of reforming the administration, reviewing the matter of personal at central headquarters, and strengthening police stations. Of course, my priorities are in full co-ordination with the Government of Kosovo, fighting corruption, organised crime. We're dealing with human trafficking, building capacity to fight the threats that come from cyberattacks. Kosovo is in the Balkans and the situation is the same in all states. There is a big deal going on about fighting these phenomena, especially narcotics and trafficking of human beings. We must strengthen capacities within the Kosovo Police, as well as strengthen the integrity of police officials”, Qalaj has said of Periscope.

He acknowledged that there is still much work to be done, but according to him, all of these phenomena will be fought.

In addition, he has spoken of the involvement of police officials in corruption, bribery and other abuses of official duty.

Kosovo's “Police are a major organisation, we are making efforts to make discipline even in the internal field that our officials are not involved in these scandals. We ourselves play these events. There are cases of police involved. We also co-operate with the inspectorate because they have a mandate to deal with police officials. Without high integrity within the police, we cannot expect to do much outside”, Qalaj has said further.

He has also warned of the switching of some of the directors of regional police and departments after a long stay in these positions.

“S along with staff we want to do actual analysis of the police structure. The structure has nothing to do with individuals but is done in the best interests of the organization. A long - term position absorbs man and enables him to be creative. Because when you stay with a person long enough, you create social reports, and you're not always in charge. We expect this to happen in the first months of next year”, he said. / P ERISCOPIA