POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF FIELD OPERATIONS SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE Specialized Investigations Units/Forensics As part of its commitment to strengthen national capacities in combating criminal networks and supporting ILP, the Mission has supported the institutional development of the PD’s Forensic Centre (FC) in Danilovgrad since its establishment in 2008, in terms of providing equipment and providing training to experts. In May 2009, with the support of the Mission, the FC became a fully-fledged member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutions and chemical analysis accreditation in International Standard of Quality ISO\IEC 17025:2005 in December 2014. This accreditation provides an assurance that the FC laboratory delivers competent operations, validity and confidence in its results. As evidence from the FC can now be accepted in any European court, this represents an important step forward in combating regional and international crime. In addition, within the process of accreditation, in co-operation with the Mission, the FC initiated mentoring accreditation projects with the other Western Balkan countries to further strengthen cross-border criminal justice investigations. In the course of 2019, the Mission supported the strengthening of PD technical capacities in the fight against serious and organized crime, by enhancing the digital forensic examination and cybercrime investigations. The Mission procured equipment for the FC, criminal police and newly established Police Sector for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption, including specialized devices and software. The equipment will help in assisting criminal investigations and support law enforcement institutions in establishing a comprehensive approach in tackling organized crime. In noting that the EC updated the standard of ISO\IEC 17025 in 2017, the Mission supported the FC in transitioning from the standard 2005 to a new legally binding 2017 version25. On 26 and 27 December 2019, in co-operation with the Standard Cert Company in Belgrade, the Mission organized a certified training course on ISO\IEC 17025:2017 for ten forensic experts in Danilovgrad. The course identified the key steps required in the transition process between the two versions of the standard. The course further helped to develop a review of all key changes, focusing on the risks, opportunities and management system options, and clarifying internal rules. At the conclusion of the training, forensic experts went through testing and examination, with the successful candidates awarded certificates, attesting to their ability to handle imposed changes and apply new knowledge in a laboratory environment. Compliance by the FC with the new standard is expected to be reached by March 2020 and the respective accredited bodies will scrutiny the process with the final re25 The EC allowed a three-year transition period for accredited laboratories, with accreditations to the old standard expiring on 30 November 2020. accreditation due to be confirmed by the EC’s deadline on 30 November 2020. Other, including co-ordination and co-operation On 24 and 25 September, the Mission facilitated the participation of PD representatives to the OSCE Annual Police Expert Meeting in Vienna, organized by the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship with the support of TNTD/SPMU. The meeting examined the developments in AI in the work of law enforcement authorities and agencies. The main findings and outcomes of the meeting will serve as strategic pathway for the OSCE in terms of developing and providing capacitybuilding and technical assistance to participating States and Partners for Co-operation. On 26 and 27 September, the Mission participated in the TNTD/SPMU organized Annual Meeting of the HoLEDS of FO’s “Addressing Corruption in the Police and in the Society” in Vienna. Including delegates from participating States and OSCE executive structures, participants exchanged information, best practice and lessons learned. During the meeting, the Mission presented its work in assisting the PD to strengthen police integrity and fight corruption. Activities related to threats posed by criminal activity Counter-Terrorism & P/C VERLT From 7 to 8 November, in co-operation with the Ministry of Sport and Youth (MoSY), the Mission organized a workshop on youth engagement on P/C VERLT in Budva. Around 20 young people from across Montenegro discussed how to combat violent radicalization, its sources, as well as the national prevention framework that promotes a multidimensional approach. From 19 to 20 November, the Mission supported the implementation of the 2019 P/C VERLT National Action Plan (NAP) by organizing a workshop on P/C VERLT for 80 teachers from primary and secondary schools in Bijelo Polje and Bar respectively. Supported by the National Coordinator for Combating Violent Extremism and Ministry of Education (MoEd), the workshop focused on assessing risks and mechanisms to prevent and combat violent extremism, online radicalization, and misuse of social networks. A focus was placed on how the internet can be used to promote violent extremism and radicalization that leads to terrorism. The main conclusions from the event were that a) this process requires an integrated approach 77