1. INTRODUCTION The OSCE operates on the premise that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law, as well as an effective and accountable criminal justice system are fundamental to a well functioning modern democracy. Democratic policing, which serves the people rather than just the State and respects human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, is central to protecting life and property, detecting crime, preserving public order as well as preserving social stability during crises and emergencies, and supporting post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation. In recognition of the importance of the rule of law and democratic policing, police-related activities have become a key component of the OSCE’s post-conflict rehabilitation operations and have gained increasing relevance in the organization’s democratization and rule of law activities in states of transition as well as in the promotion of international co-operation in the fight against transnational threats. By the end of 2011, 14 out of 16 OSCE field operations undertook police-related activities.5 The following map provides an overview of OSCE field operations that undertook policerelated activities as at the end of 2011. Legend: South-Eastern Europe: 1) Presence in Albania 2) Mission in Kosovo 3) Mission to Montenegro 4) Mission to Serbia 5) Mission to Skopje Eastern Europe: 6) Mission to Moldova 7) Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine 5 14 South Caucasus: 8) Office in Baku 9) Office in Yerevan Central Asia: 10) Centre in Ashgabat 11) Centre in Astana 12) Centre in Bishkek 13) Office in Tajikistan 14) Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan Since not all field operations have a distinguished police component, police-related activities of these field operations have been undertaken by other thematic components such as democratization, human rights, or rule of law units.