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Police and Residents Cooperate to Lower Crime in Batken province

Published: 16 December 2014 г.
December 16, 2014, Ak-Say, Batken province: Today local authorities in Ak-Say (Batken province) presented their crime prevention Action Plan for 2015 – 2017 to the public. Twenty-nine local residents took part in writing the plan.

The community expressed confidence that the plan’s implementation will decrease crime in neighboring villages. Local police officers supported the initiative, stating that only joint efforts can fully address serious emerging issues and prevent crime. The local parliament approved the plan on November 24, 2014, with representatives from local government, womens’ committees, youth committees, police, residents, aldermen and international organizations attending.

Tash-Tumshuk municipal police station, which borders Isfar (Sogd province, Tajikistan) is located on the territory of Ak-Say Aiyl Aimak, where there are four villages and two adjacent settlements. Tash-Tumshuk is an example of how a police station can link police and residents to improve public security and prevent crime. UNODC, in tandem with the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOI) selected the municipal police station of Tash-Tumshuk village (Batken district) after an initial evaluation by UNODC and MOI in June 2013. Education for Community Development, a public foundation within the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Project, funded by the U.S. International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Bureau (INL), helped realize the initiative.

UNODC provided capital repairs and equipment to the Tash-Tumshuk municipal police station and continues to support professional capacity development for police officers, helping them build relationships with local communities. Since 2009, UNODC has worked to strengthen the Rule of Law in the Kyrgyz Republic through improvements in the criminal justice system. In 2013, UNODC launched a new program, helping to build the credibility and respect for law enforcement officers among members of the general public through improved cooperation.

The crime prevention campaign is an excellent example of cooperation between the Ministry of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic and international partners, implementing the National Sustainable Development Strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic and Police Reform Measures adopted by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.