Units, in particular the Special Operations Units (SOU), the DSPS conducted pilot training on “Tactical Tonfa and Tactical Water Cannon” at the SOU Campus from 7-19 May. The Department also supported the KP SOU by delivering a training package which included crowd and riot control management and the management of an operational command room. The goals of both of these training courses held at KAPS were fully achieved as the participants were satisfied with the content of the training, which was directly related to their day-to-day challenges and difficulties in both controlling and managing various policing operations. Furthermore, at later stages during the year, the DSPS provided the KP SOU with two more ToT courses on the tactical use of tonfa and the tactical use of tear gas. Having certified trainers who are competent to deliver the respective courses was seen as a prerequisite for enhancing the KP SOU officers’ capacity on the usage of tonfa, tear gas and water cannons as efficient professional service tools during special operations. In order to ensure consistency of the training, the DSPS monitored the performance of the trained trainers and provided them with comprehensive feedback. The tactical training on the use of tonfa and tear gas presented an important activity of the DSPS, considering that these two types of training were provided to the KP for the first time since the KP SOU became fully operational. The DSPS paid particular attention to the sustainability of the activities and training courses on forensics because of the vital role of forensics in supporting the investigations by providing proven and credible evidence reports to the courts. The DSPS continued to provide the Kosovo Forensics Agency (KFA) with “Latent Fingerprint Development and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Inspection” training courses which took place from 7-11 May, and 11-15 June at the KFA premises. In addition to the KP forensics experts, investigators from various regions were also given the opportunity to practice on real case scenarios during the training. The main goal of these activities was fully achieved by training all relevant experts in Kosovo, who were certified in analysing and presenting valid and credible reports for the judiciary institutions after passing the proficiency test at the end of the training. During the first quarter of 2012, the DSPS also participated in the working group meetings on the KFA in order to contribute to the drafting of the new law on KFA. The Department was also involved in facilitating co-operation initiatives in the region in order to enhance crossborder activities. Since witness protection is still a relatively new issue in Kosovo, the Department organized follow-up training on “Witness Protection” from 11-15 June at KAPS. The aim of the training was to encourage the Kosovar authorities to apply the legal provisions and to enhance their capacity to pursue and successfully prosecute major crime cases. Since police investigators are the first to meet witnesses they are crucial in building trust and negotiating suitable protection measures and programmes. It was expected that the insights gained during this training would help the investigators to establish such trust. From 28 May to 8 June, the DSPS also conducted joint practical training for K9 Dog Handlers from police services of Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo at the KP K9 Camp. The dog handlers improved their skills and knowledge on how to train and handle detection dogs in searching for narcotics and explosives. By organizing this kind of training, the DSPS, for the first time, enabled three neighbouring police services to improve regional co-operation, which would assist them in tackling transnational crimes. As a pilot activity, the DSPS, from 17-21 September, provided the KP with in-house training on “Contemporary Policing Management” in line with the best European policing practices. The training took place at KAPS. First line supervisors and middle managers from the KP received this training to enhance their managerial capabilities. 53