As prepared:
Ambassador Delawie’s Remarks at KAPS IADLEST Accreditation Plaque Inauguration Ceremony, June 7, 2018
Thank you for inviting me here today to mark this milestone for the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety.
Since your establishment in September of 1999, every police officer serving in the Kosovo Police has gone through this institution to receive the core training required to dispatch their duties. Over 8,000 so far with another batch of new recruits to begin their training soon.
The responsibilities of KAPS extend well beyond training. These facilities also support a range of inter-agency public safety and security activities and even hosting the annual Special Olympics events on this very compound.
Today we add another important element that further brightens your reputation: Recognition by both Kosovo’s National Qualifications Authority and the U.S. based International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training’s accreditation program.
It is my sincere honor to congratulate KAPS and all of its staff, as well as the U.S. Embassy’s ICITAP program for their distinct achievement in becoming the very first law enforcement academy to receive accreditation from the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training.
For close to a year, you have worked tirelessly towards meeting the strict standards and requirements set forth by IADLEST. We know the process of reviewing and verifying KAPS policies, procedures, processes, facilities and personnel was not easy, but you prevailed.
You have also demonstrated your commitment to professional law enforcement training requirements, policies and standards.
All of this benefits the men and women who serve in Kosovo’s public safety agencies and more importantly, the citizens to which they serve.
Job well done.
But …your job does not end here.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, KAPS leadership, the KAPS board and all of the other agencies that train here will need to ensure that the training received at KAPS is up to standard, which means they will have to constantly review, confirm, and or adjust those standards to meet the needs of the law enforcement officials who receive the training and the communities they serve.
We know you will meet the challenge.
Congratulations.
