27 years since the establishment of the Kosovo Police, Kurti: The country is safer than ever

The Kosovo Police marked the 27th anniversary of its establishment today. At a solemn ceremony held under the motto “A shared journey, a lasting mission,” the contribution of police officers over the years was recognized, while officers who lost their lives in the line of duty were also commemorated.

Acting President Albulena Haxhiu said that over the past 27 years, the Kosovo Police had undergone a continuous process of transformation and professionalization.

“On September 6, 1999, 176 cadets began training as the first generation of the Kosovo Police. Newly liberated Kosovo needed an institution that would place law enforcement at its foundation. From those first 176 cadets to the more than 9,000 police officers there are today, the Kosovo Police has grown. The Kosovo Police is one of the most trusted institutions in the country. Every citizen, regardless of who they are, should feel that they are facing an institution that protects them. In 27 years, the Kosovo Police has made significant progress professionally and operationally. The Kosovo Police is part of broader cooperation with international institutions. This is evidence that the police have built a high level of professionalism. Therefore, Kosovo’s membership in Interpol remains important,” she said.

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti highlighted the extension of law and order to northern Kosovo as well. He stressed that support for the Kosovo Police would continue through modern equipment and improved working conditions.

“Kosovo is safer than ever before. The establishment of the Kosovo Police 27 years ago coincided with our liberation. The police have worked for a functioning state where order and the rule of law prevail. The police respect and protect all citizens without distinction while enforcing the law. Over the past five years, alongside a 50 percent increase in the police budget, more than 20 stations have been established and strengthened throughout the north, where previously there was not a single institution. The presence of institutions in the north was also crucial to locating the mass graves from the last war,” he added.