2 VISITS TO POLICE STATIONS AND ESTABLISHED SITUATIONS During 2019, the National Preventive Mechanism - NPM conducted a total of 13 preventive visits to police stations (PS), all of which were regular visits. NPM conducted regular visits to police stations of general competence: PS Karposh, PS Bit Pazar, PS Centar, PS Gostivar, PS Debar, PS Kavadarci, PS Kratovo, PS Shtip, PS Probishtip, PS Delchevo, PS Radovish, PS Demir Hisar and PS Krushevo. The visits to the police stations during 2019 were carried out without prior notice by the NPM team, in accordance with the previously determined Annual Programme for conducting preventive visits. Most of the visits were conducted by the NPM team in cooperation with external associates from several associations with which the Ombudsman - National Preventive Mechanism had concluded a Memorandum of Cooperation, which were previously made familiar with the monitoring methodology and manner of action of the National Preventive Mechanism. During all visits, the NPM team encountered efficient and constructive cooperation by officials and managers in police stations, which provided uninterrupted insight into the complete documentation, inspection of all premises and material facilities available to them, talks with all persons of their choice, in full confidentiality and without any presence or supervision by officials. The National Preventive Mechanism also expresses a serious concern since although for years it alarms and recommends improvement of the material conditions at police stations, in order to eliminate the potential risks of inhumane and degrading treatment to detainees and persons deprived of their freedom, the conditions remain unchanged to a great extent. www. ombudsman.mk 17