POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF FIELD OPERATIONS SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE From 4 to 8 November, the Mission delivered a training course on investigating abuses of public finances for 20 PIK investigators. Participants were trained on applicable legislation and regulations, local institutions, procurement procedures, the management of public finances, how an abuse of finances is committed and what the means are to detect, prevent and investigate such cases. A particular focus was on the methods and techniques used to analyse and interpret collected data, the factors involved in the abuse of public finances, and the use of open source information and evidence. From 12 to 14 November, upon the request of the KP Internal Investigation Directorate, the Mission facilitated a workshop to finalize the “Administrative Instruction on Disciplinary Violations”, and SOPs stemming from this Instruction. The workshop gathered around 50 senior police officers from different organizational units and international stakeholders, who presented the challenges encountered in ensuring professionalism and discipline within the KP. Participants shared their opinions regarding the discipline related issues they face during their work and the best ways to overcome them, contributing to the finalization of these documents. In addition, the Mission provided technical expertise at this event, especially on matters related to ensuring a transparent, fair, and professional treatment of public complaints. On 25 November, the Mission facilitated a workshop to review the PIK Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2022. The workshop enabled an effective assessment of the implementation and evaluation of progress made in achieving goals and objectives set for professional and institutional development. During the event, the Mission presented its contribution in the implementation of the strategy’s action plan through a range of capacity-building activities. Participants reported on the achievements and challenges encountered during the implementation of the action plan and agreed on the way forward in 2020. From 2 to 6 December, the Mission hosted a training workshop on managing complex financial investigation for 19 PIK investigators, delivered by an expert from the Italian Guardia di Finanza. The event equipped investigators with an enhanced understanding and operational knowledge of effectively investigating complex cases involving financial crimes, in using information sources (including banks and other financial institutions), and managing and leading investigations at domestic and international level. In addition, examining past cases, techniques used to detect, investigate, and prosecute complex cases of money laundering, bribery, and corruption, were also thoroughly discussed. On 10 December, on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Mission assisted the multi-ethnic CSO Vizioni 02 in organizing a roundtable aimed at discussing the perceptions of communities regarding the KP’s work. The CSO presented the survey and its findings (distributed in both official languages to 250 residents in the Istog/Istok municipality belonging to different communities), which stressed a general positive public perception towards the KP’s work. During the event, 41 participants discussed ways to improve co-operation between residents and the police, as well as the general safety and security of all communities living in the municipality. Recommendations stemming from the meeting included the organization of training events on security issues in schools, more frequent police outreach visits to communities and the opening of new police stations in villages. Anti-Corruption On 27 March, the Mission facilitated a conference on preventing and combating high-level and grand corruption, which hosted, among others, the President of Kosovo as the Chair of Anti-Corruption Council, the Chief Prosecutor, Minister of Internal Affairs, heads of judicial and prosecutorial councils, representatives of Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), KP, FIU, various assembly committees, government ministries, and operational staff involved in the fight against corruption. During the event, two international experts from Transparency International introduced the concept of ‘grand corruption’, highlighting the need to tackle the problem both at domestic and international levels. From 27 to 29 May, in co-operation with the EU funded project “Further Support to Kosovo Institutions in the Fight against Organized Crime, Corruption, and Violent Extremism”, the Mission organized a training workshop on investigating corruption for representatives of the KP, FIU, ACA, KAPS, and judges dealing with major crime issues from several basic courts. By enacting case scenarios, the workshop highlighted ways to apply the appropriate techniques for investigating high-level corruption in their daily work. It also focused on confiscation and money laundering in line with the respective legislation, with judges, in particular, further acquainted with the possibilities of confiscating criminal assets, as provided under new legislation. On 8 July, the Mission organized a training workshop on “E-Procurement Fraud” for 15 participants representing the KP, Tax Administration, ACA, and Special Prosecution Service. Based on six practical case scenarios, participants were familiarized with procurement typologies, drafting investigation plans, parallel investigative methods, case preparation and case management for court trials. 59