Facing danger with open chest, Kosovo police officers still without bulletproof

...that the tender procedures have been incorrect... That the government has not yet submitted approval to the OSHP Board...”, are some of the reasons when it comes to procedures that endanger Kosovo Police members daily.

Hundreds of police members have been left without bulletproof vests. They have expired with the offer of use that is worth ten years.

In June 2021, Kosovo police had opened tenders for the purchase of more than 3 thousand bulletproof vests for police officials. The tender is stuck in the Procureing Organisation, because allegations are that police procurement has prosecuted illegally when recommending contract to a company. Now, the defence vest project has remained suspended until the O Board is formed The EP to make a decision on this procurement subject.

Kosovo police have told of Periscope that each official is equipped with bulletproof vests.

The “Referenced to your request informs you that, Kosovo Police consistently take care to secure the necessary logistical equipment, including the necessary clothes and police equipment for all police officials, in order to enable the implementation of operational and administrative tasks, and each official of the Police that Kosovo is equipped with bulletproof vests.

The” consistently according to schedules and time terms, the KK is supplied with logistical and bulletproof equipment, where the new bulletproof supply project is currently found in OSHP”, reportedly in the police's response to Periscope.

But the truth is a little different because the police say it. Police officials have bulletproof vests, but many do not wear them because they have expired.

The “has already expired for years, some months ago. Even about seven months ago, they've taken anti-plumbs numbers to change them, but that's not what happened. Police constantly need bulletproof vests taking into account that they are on expiration terms and they must be replaced constantly, as well as the recruiting processes of young police who must be equipped with vest”, has told Periscope a source within Kosovo police.

In June 2021, Kosovo police had opened tenders for the purchase of more than 3 thousand bulletproof vests for police officials. The vest characteristics are: One of the vested vests that weighs less than 3kg is also not visible to the public's eye, while the other two types of vests, one eight kilos and the one for Special Units, 10kg, are dressed on the police uniform and are visible. Thus, 600 pieces are required to be purchased from the internal vest. Outside vest 2300 pieces. Tactical vest for 350 special units.

In this tender, seven companies have competed. On October 20, 2021, police procurement recommended the group of companies “Prpcom” for contract. KPS & “Seyntex NV” at the price of 2, 346, 000. A hundred euros.

The law was violated during the bidding assessment, several companies thought, who later complained to the police procurement office. Their complaint has been addressed and then police have cancelled their first decision and decided to award contract to the company “Sodex Group”, worth 2, 758, 950.00 euros. So the police agreed on their own to violate the Law during the bidding assessment.

Since prior to this company, the company group “Prcom” was recommended KPS & “Seyntex NV” After second re-evaluation this group has been declared irresponsible with the reasoning that “In demand 1 internal Antinebulb - Ballistic testes for the soft parts of that inner vest are made with the type of ammunition 44 mag .240 SJHP, not 44 mag ammunition. 240 JHP, as required”.

The same reasoning has been used for the outside vest.

The company has offered its excuses considering that the elimination is inconsistent, but has rejected the same police procurement, so the company has then complained at the OSHP.

O The EPS has recommended one of its own experts to handle the classes, two complaints from other companies. This official compiled his report in time and sent it to the institution where he works. The OSHP was obliged to publish the report on its official website, but it didn't. Periscop has learned that the expert has found police procurement violations in the second time, for which he recommended the O Board. The time to force the police to re-evaluate the subject once more.

Kosovo police have long been having problems with bulletproof supplies. He had the biggest problem with the company “A L-Zone” whose contract had been cut in 2019. Police and this company are facing court. / P ERISCOPI/